Statistics and demographics.

Completely accurate and comprehensive statistics are difficult to acquire for any social study, but especially so when measuring the ambiguous hidden, and erratic reality of homelessness. All figures given are estimates. In addition, these estimates represent overall national averages; the proportions of specific homeless communities can vary substantially depending on local geography.

2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress

Perhaps the most accurate, comprehensive, and current data on homelessness in the United States is reported annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report of Congress (AHAR), released in June of every year since 2007. The AHAR report relies on data from two sources: single-night, point-in-time counts of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations reported on the Continuum of Care applications to HUD; and counts of the sheltered homeless population over a full year provided by a sample of communities based on data in their Management Information Systems (HMIS).

Other statistics

Homeless children in the United States. The number of homeless children reached record highs in 2011, 2012 and 2013 at about three times their number in 1983

Some estimates from various sources on the characteristics and number of homeless people:

Total Number

· As many as 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year (1% of the entire U.S. population or 10% of its poor), and about 842,000 people in any given week. Most were homeless temporarily. The chronically homeless population (those with repeated episodes or who have been homeless for long periods) fell from 175,914 in 2005 to 123,833 in 2007.

Familial composition

· 23% are families with children—the fastest growing segment.

· 51.3% are single males.

· 24.7% are single females.

· 5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.

1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18.

Marital status

· 24% are married.

· 76% are single.

· 67.5% are single males within the single percentage.

· 32.5% are single females within the single percentage.

Ethnicity

· 42% are African American (over-represented 3.23x compared to 13% of general population).

· 38% are Caucasian (under-represented 0.53x compared to 72% of general population).

· 20% are Hispanic (over-represented 1.25x compared to 16% of general population).

· 4% are Native Americans (over-represented 4x compared to 1% of general population).

· 2% are Asian - Americans(under-represented 0.4x compared to 5% of general population).

Health-concerns.

· 39% report some form of mental health problems

· 22% are considered to have serious mental illnesses or are disabled.

· 38% have alcohol abuse problems.

· 26% have other substance abuse problems.

· 3% report having HIV/AIDS.

· 26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumania or sexualy transmitted infections.

· 46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer.

· 55% report having no health insurance (compared to 27% of general population).

· 58% report having trouble getting enough food to eat.

Education

· 38% have less than a High School diploma.

· 34% have a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)

· 28% have more than a High School education.

Employment

· 44% report having worked in the past week.

· 13% have regular jobs.

· 50% receive less than $300 per month as income.

· 70% work on street corners, pan-handling or prostituting themselves.

Additionally, a 2010 longitudinal study of homeless men conducted in Birmingham, Alabama found that most of them earned ninety dollars a week on average while working thirty hours a week on average.

Location.

· 71% reside in central cities.

· 21% are in suburbs.

· 9% are in rural areas.

Duratio

· 80% of those who experience homelessness do so for less than 3 weeks. They typically have more personal, social, or economic resources to draw upon.

· 10% are homeless for up to two months. They cite lack of available or affordable housing as responsible for the delay.

· 10% are so called "chronic" and remain without housing for extended periods of time on a frequent basis. They typically struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, or both.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 832