The State of Homelessness in America Report

The State of Homelessness in America According to the most current national point-in-time estimate (January 2017), there are an estimated 553,742 homeless people in the United States on any given night. This indicates that there are roughly 17 homeless individuals for every 10,000 members of the general population. Although the overall number of homeless people rose little from 2016, the rate per 10,000 people is at its lowest level ever. The reason for this is that the general population is growing faster than the number of homeless people. States' rates of homelessness varied from 5 in Mississippi to highs of 110 and 51 in Hawaii and the District of Columbia (D.C.). At the time of the point-in-time count in 2017, the overwhelming majority of the homeless population—360,867 people—were housed in shelters or temporary housing. About 34 percent (192,875 people) resided in areas like the streets or abandoned buildings that were not intended for human habitation. Of all those suffering homelessness, 66.7 percent were single (369,081 people), while 33.3 percent were family members (184,661 adults and children). Looking more closely, unaccompanied children and young adults made up 7.4 percent (40,799 children and young adults) and veterans made up 7.2 percent (40,056 veterans). The nationwide rate of homelessness rose by 0.7% between 2016 and 2017. The biggest increases were among those facing chronic homelessness (12.2 percent increase), unsheltered homelessness (9.4 percent increase), and unaccompanied children and young adults (14.3 percent increase). There was a 5.2% drop in the number of homeless family members. Nationally, homelessness declined in all major categories and overall between 2007 and 2017. Homelessness as a whole dropped 14.4%. Veterans (34.3 percent), chronically homeless people (27.4 percent), and those living in unsheltered areas (24.6 percent) have seen the biggest drops in homelessness. State Trends in Homelessness Between 2016 and 2017:    Overall homelessness decreased in 30 states and Washington, D.C., but increased in 20 states. Massachusetts recorded a decrease of 2,043 homeless persons, while Georgia reported the biggest decline of 2,735 homeless people. The biggest rise by far was recorded in California, where 16,136 more persons were homeless. With 3,151 new residents, New York posted the second-largest rise. Most states followed the national trend of decreased family size. There were declines in 37 states and Washington, D.C., with Georgia (892 individuals) and Massachusetts (1,876 people) reporting the biggest drops. Increases in unsheltered homelessness (28 states and Washington, D.C.) and chronic homelessness among individuals (28 states) were paralleled by a small  majority of states. California saw both the biggest rise in chronically homeless people (5,996) and the largest increase in unsheltered homelessness (13,252). The majority of states reported declines in the number of homeless people (28 states and Washington, D.C.) and veterans (36 states and Washington, D.C.), in contrast to the national increase. Increases in California were a major factor in the discrepancy between the overall national and state trends. Georgia recorded the biggest drop in both the number of homeless people (1,843 people) and the number of homeless veterans (343 people). Since 2007:   Overall homelessness has decreased in 36 states since 2007, while it has increased in 14 states and Washington, D.C. Most states followed national trends in all major categories of homelessness: veterans (30 states and D.C. reported decreases), family homelessness (38 states reported decreases), chronically homeless people (38 states and D.C. reported decreases), unsheltered people (34 states reported decreases), and individuals (27 states and D.C. reported decreases). Homeless Assistance in America A range of housing and assistance initiatives, such as emergency shelters, transitional housing, fast re-housing, and permanent supportive housing, are used by communities nationwide to address homelessness. Homeless assistance has changed over the past ten years, with a stronger focus on long-term housing solutions to homelessness, such as quick rehousing and permanent supportive housing, than on temporary housing initiatives. Approximately 52.8% of all beds in the United States are permanent housing interventions. With 41.8 percent of all homeless assistance beds, permanent supportive housing is now the intervention with the largest capacity. With 32.8 percent of homeless assistance beds, emergency shelters have the next-highest capacity level. Capacity data for rapid re-housing has only been gathered since 2013, making it a relatively recent action. Although it makes up more than one in ten beds nationwide, its growth pace has been striking, rising 372 percent between 2013 and 2017. State Trends in Homeless Assistance Between 2016 and 2017:  In comparison to 2016, most states (33) expanded the capacity of permanent supportive housing in 2017. Texas (1,651 beds), Colorado (2,052 beds), and California (3,420 beds) saw the most increases. Minnesota saw the biggest drop, with 1,379 fewer beds.    Additionally, the majority of states (34 states plus Washington, D.C.) saw a rise in rapid rehousing inventories. Massachusetts (2,306 beds), New York (2,679 beds), and California (3,010 beds) saw the most increases. Washington saw the biggest drop, with 1,570 fewer beds. The majority of states (33 states) expanded their emergency shelter capacity. California (4,559 beds) and New York (4,989 beds) saw the most increases. The state with the biggest decline (382 fewer beds) was Pennsylvania. Nearly every state saw a decline in transitional housing (44 states and Washington, D.C. reported a decline). Florida (1,714 fewer beds), New York (1,883 less beds), and California (2,437 fewer beds) saw the most declines. Minnesota saw the biggest increase, adding 113 beds. Since 2007:    Compared to 2007, the capacity for permanent supportive housing has increased in all states except Arkansas. Texas (9,488 beds), New York (11,331 beds), and California (33,049 beds) saw the most increases. Most states (42 states and Washington, D.C.) saw an increase in emergency shelter capacity. States that have jurisdictions that guarantee a "right to shelter" saw the biggest increases: Massachusetts (5,286 beds), New York (36,274 beds), and Washington, D.C. (2,887 beds). Additionally, California added 4,618 beds to its capacity. Michigan saw the biggest decline, with 606 fewer beds. All states saw a decline in transitional housing capacity, with the exception of Alaska, Wyoming, and Hawaii. New York (7,994 fewer beds), Oregon (6,459 less beds), and California (11,223 fewer beds) saw the biggest declines. Populations at Risk of Homelessness A large number of low-income individuals are vulnerable to homelessness. In the end, this is because there isn't enough affordable housing. In 2016, there were 6,902,060 impoverished renter households that were severely burdened by housing costs (i.e., paying more than half of their income for housing). This is still 20.8 percent higher than 2007 but 3.1 percent lower than 2015. An estimated 4,609,826 persons in low-income households were "doubling up" with friends and relatives, per a 2016 American Community Survey research. For those who end up homeless, this is one of the most typical previous living arrangements. Although the 2016 rate is 30.0 percent higher than the 2007 rate, it is 5.7 percent lower than the 2015 rate. State Trends in At-Risk Populations Between 2015 and 2016:   Most states saw a decline in the number of impoverished individuals living with friends or relatives (35). Montana had the biggest percentage drop (56.0 percent, or 8,148 people), while North Dakota had the biggest percentage rise (180.8 percent, or 3,779 people). Most states saw a decline in the number of low-income, renter households with a significant housing expense burden (35). Maine had the biggest percentage drop (20.7%, or 5,022 families), while D.C. had the biggest percentage rise (37.9%, or 8,197 households). Since 2007:   The number of persons living in poverty doubled in 47 states and Washington, D.C., while it only decreased in three states (Montana, Colorado, and New Hampshire). Montana saw the biggest percentage drop (10.6 percent, or 758 individuals), while Nevada saw the biggest percentage rise (133.5 percent, or 24,446 people). Only three states saw a drop in the number of low-income, renter households with a significant housing expense burden (Maine, Alaska, and North Dakota). Maine had the biggest percentage drop (4.9 percent, or 990 families), while Wyoming had the biggest percentage rise (154.8 percent, or 6,622 households).