Facts About the Homeless

Information by State  Print version

The following facts are taken from the 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients. This study was designed to provide updated information about the providers of homeless assistance and the characteristics of homeless persons who use services. The survey is based on a statistical sample of 76 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, including small cities and rural areas.

WHO ARE THE HOMELESS?
Families

• Including parents and children, 34% of homeless service users are members of homeless families. 23% are minor children and 11% are their parents.*
• Of parents in homeless families, 84% are female and 16% are male.

Singles

• 85% of homeless clients are single (meaning they do not have any children with them).*
• Of single homeless clients, 77% are male and 23% are female.
• 10% are ages 17 to 24, 81% are ages 25 to 54, and 9 percent are ages 55 and older.

Hunger

• 28% say they sometimes or often do not get enough to eat.
• 20% eat one meal a day or less.
• 39% say that in the last 30 days they were hungry and could not afford food to eat.

Problems with Alcohol, Drugs and Mental Health

• 38% report indicators of alcohol use problems, 26% report indicators of drug use problems, 39% report indicators of mental health problems.
• 66% report indicators of one or more of these problems.

Physical Problems

• 3% report having HIV/AIDS, 26% report having acute infectious conditions such as a cough, cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, or sexually transmitted diseases other than AIDS, 46% report having chronic health conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer.
• 55% have no health insurance.

Income and Benefits

• 44% did paid work during the past month.
• Of the 44% who did paid work, 20% worked in a job lasting or expected to last at least three months, 25% worked at a temporary or day labor job, and 2% earned money by peddling or selling personal belongings.
• 21% received income from family members or friends.
• 37% receive food stamps.
• 11 % receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI).
• 9% receive state or local cash assistance benefit.
• 6% receive veteran-related disability payments.
• 30% receive Medicaid.
• 8% report income from panhandling in the last 30 days.

Patterns of Homelessness

• 49% of homeless clients are in their first episode of homelessness, while 34% have been homeless three or more times.

Veterans

• 23% of homeless clients are veterans.
  
• 33% of the male homeless population are veterans.

The full executive summary of the NSHAPC Study is available.

* Of households that are homeless, 85% of total households are individuals and 15% are families. However, because a family household has two or more persons, the total number percentage of persons who are homeless and in a family is higher. Of persons who are homeless, 66% are counted as an individual household, while 34% are part of a family with children.