In 2023, 7.3 percent of the estimated number of homeless individuals in the United States were between the ages of 18 and 24, while 0.7 percent were under 18.

Survey on Homeless Persons: Homeless persons by value absolute/percentage and average age. National.

In 2023, there were an estimated ******* white homeless people in the United States, the most out of any ethnicity. In comparison, there were around ******* Black or African American homeless people in the U.S. How homelessness is counted The actual number of homeless individuals in the U.S. is difficult to measure. The Department of Housing and Urban Development uses point-in-time estimates, where employees and volunteers count both sheltered and unsheltered homeless people during the last 10 days of January. However, it is very likely that the actual number of homeless individuals is much higher than the estimates, which makes it difficult to say just how many homeless there are in the United States. Unsheltered homeless in the United States California is well-known in the U.S. for having a high homeless population, and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego all have high proportions of unsheltered homeless people. While in many states, the Department of Housing and Urban Development says that there are more sheltered homeless people than unsheltered, this estimate is most likely in relation to the method of estimation.

In 2023/24, 3,645 people who were seen to be sleeping rough in London were aged between 36 and 45 years old, the most common age group in that year. In this same year, 1,126 people seen to be homeless were aged between 18 and 24, and a further 1,380 were aged over 55. By far, the least common age group for rough sleeping were those aged under 18, with just 13 rough sleepers in this reporting year. Demographics of London's homeless Overall, there were 10,053 people reported to be sleeping rough in London in 2022/23. Although this was fewer than in 2020/21, when the number of people sleeping rough reached 11,018, it was still much higher than in 2010/11, when this figure was 3,975 people. As of the most recent reporting year, 2,050 of London's rough sleepers were in the borough of Westminster, the most of any London borough. In terms of gender, the majority of rough sleepers in 2022/23 were male, with 8,172 men seen to be sleeping rough, compared with 1,642 women, and eleven non-binary people. Homelessness in the U.S. Homelessness is also an important social issue in several other countries. In the United States, for example, there were estimated to be approximately 582,562 people experiencing homelessness in 2022. This was a slight increase on the previous year, but a decrease when compared to 2007, when around 672,258 people were homeless. When looking at U.S. states, California had the highest homelessness rate, at 43.7 individuals per 10,000 population, followed by Vermont at 43.1

Survey on Homeless Persons: Average age at which studies given up by type of statistic. National.

When analyzing the ratio of homelessness to state population, New York, Vermont, and Oregon had the highest rates in 2023. However, Washington, D.C. had an estimated ** homeless individuals per 10,000 people, which was significantly higher than any of the 50 states. Homeless people by race The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development performs homeless counts at the end of January each year, which includes people in both sheltered and unsheltered locations. The estimated number of homeless people increased to ******* in 2023 – the highest level since 2007. However, the true figure is likely to be much higher, as some individuals prefer to stay with family or friends - making it challenging to count the actual number of homeless people living in the country. In 2023, nearly half of the people experiencing homelessness were white, while the number of Black homeless people exceeded *******. How many veterans are homeless in America? The  number of homeless veterans in the United States has halved since 2010. The state of California, which is currently suffering a homeless crisis, accounted for the highest number of homeless veterans in 2022. There are many causes of homelessness among veterans of the U.S. military, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse problems, and a lack of affordable housing.

People experiencing homelessness have historically had high mortality rates compared to housed individuals in Canada, a trend believed to have become exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this matched cohort study conducted in Toronto, Canada, we investigated all-cause mortality over a one-year period by following a random sample of people experiencing homelessness (n = 640) alongside matched housed (n = 6,400) and low-income housed (n = 6,400) individuals. Matching criteria included age, sex-assigned-at-birth, and Charlson comorbidity index. Data were sourced from the Ku-gaa-gii pimitizi-win cohort study and administrative databases from ICES. People experiencing homelessness had 2.7 deaths/100 person-years, compared to 0.7/100 person-years in both matched unexposed groups, representing an all-cause mortality unadjusted hazard ratio (uHR) of 3.7 (95% CI, 2.1–6.5). Younger homeless individuals had much higher uHRs than older groups (ages 25–44 years uHR 16.8 [95% CI 4.0–70.2]; ages 45–64 uHR 6.8 [95% CI 3.0–15.1]; ages 65+ uHR 0.35 [95% CI 0.1–2.6]). Homeless participants who died were, on average, 17 years younger than unexposed individuals. After adjusting for number of comorbidities and presence of mental health or substance use disorder, people experiencing homelessness still had more than twice the hazard of death (aHR 2.2 [95% CI 1.2–4.0]). Homelessness is an important risk factor for mortality; interventions to address this health disparity, such as increased focus on homelessness prevention, are urgently needed.

Source: Drees, Studies and Results N°932

Author: Muriel Moisy

Homeless people report themselves less frequently in good health than the general population, although on average they are younger. Only half of them consider themselves “good” or “very good” health, compared to 69 % of the population as a whole.

Homeless women aged 60 or older are particularly affected by these health problems. Only 10 % of women estimate themselves as “good health”, compared to half of women in this age group in the population as a whole. For homeless men over 60 years of age, this share amounts to 47 %.

This perceived level of health, regardless of age, is a reflection of degraded physical and mental health. At the same age and gender structure as the general population, 34 % of homeless people reported being partially or totally edentified and 20 % reported being obese, in both cases a one-third higher prevalence than the general population.

Nearly a quarter of homeless people believe they are in depression. Factors related to depression include overreporting of serious events experienced during childhood, but also risky behaviours such as heavy alcohol consumption.

Background: Homeless people are a socially excluded group whose health reflects exposures to intersecting social determinants of health. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the demographic composition, certain social determinants of health, and self-reported health among homeless people in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2006 and 2018.Methods: Analysis of data from face-to-face interviews with homeless people in Stockholm 2006 (n = 155) and 2018 (n = 148), based on a public health survey questionnaire adapted to the group, including the EQ-5D-3L instrument. The chi-squared test was employed to test for statistical significance between groups and the independent t-test for comparison of mean scores and values. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, with Robust Standard Errors (RSE) was performed on merged 2006 and 2018 data with mean observed EQ VAS score as outcome variable.Results: In 2018 more homeless people originated from countries outside Europe, had temporary social assistance than long-term social insurance, compared to in 2006. In 2018 more respondents reported lack of social support, exposure to violence, and refrained from seeking health care because of economic reasons. Daily smoking, binge drinking, and use of narcotic drugs was lower 2018 than 2006. In 2018 a higher proportion reported problems in the EQ-5D-3L dimensions, the mean TTO index value and the VAS index value was significantly lower than in 2006. In the regression analysis of merged data there was no significant difference between the years.Conclusions: Homeless people are an extremely disadvantaged group, have high rates of illness and disease and report poor health in all EQ-5D-3L dimensions. The EQ VAS score among the homeless people in 2018 is comparable to the score among persons aged 95–104 years in the general Swedish population 2017. The EQ-5D-3L instrument was easily administered to this group, its use allows comparison with larger population groups. Efforts are needed regarding housing, but also intensified collaboration by public authorities with responsibilities for homeless people's health and social welfare. Further studies should evaluate the impact of such efforts by health and social care services on the health and well-being of homeless people.

Difficulty performing activities of daily living (“functional impairment”) is common in homeless adults aged 50 and older. However, little is known about the trajectory of these impairments, nor the extent to which these trajectories are similar to those of older adults in the general population. We identified trajectories of functional impairment in homeless adults aged 50 and older, and risk factors for differing trajectories. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 350 homeless adults, aged 50 and older, recruited via population-based sampling in Oakland, California and interviewed at 6-month intervals for up to 3 years. We assessed functional trajectories based on self-reported difficulty performing 5 activities of daily living. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression to identify baseline risk factors for each trajectory. At baseline, participants’ mean age was 58 years (SD, 5.3), 24.1% were women, 80.9% were African American, and 38.6% had difficulty performing 1 or more activities of daily living. We identified 4 distinct functional trajectories: minimal impairment in 136 participants (41.1%); persistent impairment in 81 (25.4%); partial improvement in 74 (23.5%); and decline in 28 (10.0%). Risk factors for persistent impairment included falls in the 6 months before baseline, depressive symptoms, and low physical performance. Although functional impairment improved in some homeless adults, it persisted or worsened in many others. These findings suggest that, similar to older adults in the general population, functional impairment among older homeless persons is not a transient phenomenon, but instead a chronic issue requiring long-term solutions.

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) tracks HVRP participant outcomes using data collected from grant recipients. VETS shares HVRP outcomes with the public. These data show the national level targets and outcomes for eleven (11) measures by Program Year (PY), including breakouts by sex, ethnicity, race, age, and grant population. The 11 measures are: Number of Participants Served Percentage of Total Participants Served Number of Exiters Percentage of Total Number of Exiters Number of Participants Co-Enrolled at American Job Centers (AJCs) Average Hourly Wage at Placement Placement Rate (exit-based) Placement Rate – Episodically Homeless (exit-based) Employment Rate 2nd Quarter After Exit Employment Rate 4th Quarter After Exit Median Earnings 2nd Quarter After Exit"

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) tracks participant outcome measures for the HVRP program. Programmatic performance outcomes are collected from grant recipients through the Technical Performance Report (TPR) form. VETS shares HVRP outcomes with the public. These data show the national level targets and outcomes for eleven (11) measures by Program Year (PY), including breakouts by subpopulation, gender, ethnicity, race, and age. The 11 measures are: 1. Number of Participants Served 2. Percentage of Total Participants Served 3. Number of Exiters 4. Percentage of Total Number of Exiters 5. Number of Participants Co-Enrolled at American Job Centers (AJCs) 6. Average Hourly Wage at Placement 7. Placement Rate (exit-based) 8. Placement Rate – Episodically Homeless (exit-based) 9. Employment Rate 2nd Quarter After Exit 10. Employment Rate 4th Quarter After Exit 11. Median Earnings 2nd Quarter After Exit

BackgroundPeople experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience poor health with physical functioning deficits and frailty commonly reported. It is not well known how strategies to target physical functioning deficits and frailty work in practice in this group. The primary aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of an exercise intervention with protein supplementation to target physical functioning and frailty in people experiencing homelessness evaluated by recruitment and retention rates, adherence to the exercise sessions and protein supplement, adverse effects, programme feedback and characteristics of non-returners, sporadic and frequent attenders. The secondary aim was to evaluate changes in effectiveness outcomes of grip strength, muscle mass, lower extremity physical function, pain, frailty, and risk of malnutrition.MethodThis prospective single-arm study evaluated the feasibility of a 16-week rolling, low-threshold, ‘drop-in’ once weekly exercise programme with protein supplementation. The main recruitment site was a day-service centre for people who are homeless. Feasibility was assessed by the recruitment and retention rates, adherence to the exercise sessions and protein supplement as well as adverse effects, programme feedback and evaluation of characteristics of non-returners, sporadic (≤50% of available sessions) and frequent attenders (≥50% of available sessions). Effectiveness outcomes included pain (Visual Analogue Scale), physical functioning and performance (hand-grip dynamometry, limb circumference, the Short Physical Performance Battery), frailty (SHARE-FI and Clinical Frailty Scale) and nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment).ResultsThirty-one participants were recruited mean (SD) age 45(16) years. There was a recruitment rate of a median (IQR) of 2(1–3) new participants per week. The retention rate was 45% (n = 14) to the main recruitment site. Adherence to the exercise sessions and nutritional intervention was 90% and 100% respectively. Three adverse events were recorded during 74 interventions over the 16-week programme. The acceptability of the programme was highlighted in participant feedback. Characteristics of frequent returners (≥50%) were older age, female, more stably housed and more stable in addiction. The programme did not induce any changes in effectiveness outcomes.ConclusionThe feasibility of this programme was demonstrated. Overall, the programme was well received with higher retention rates in older participants, females, those more stably housed and those stable in addiction. A higher powered, more intense programme is needed to demonstrate programme effectiveness.

BackgroundPeople experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience poor health with physical functioning deficits and frailty commonly reported. It is not well known how strategies to target physical functioning deficits and frailty work in practice in this group. The primary aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of an exercise intervention with protein supplementation to target physical functioning and frailty in people experiencing homelessness evaluated by recruitment and retention rates, adherence to the exercise sessions and protein supplement, adverse effects, programme feedback and characteristics of non-returners, sporadic and frequent attenders. The secondary aim was to evaluate changes in effectiveness outcomes of grip strength, muscle mass, lower extremity physical function, pain, frailty, and risk of malnutrition.MethodThis prospective single-arm study evaluated the feasibility of a 16-week rolling, low-threshold, ‘drop-in’ once weekly exercise programme with protein supplementation. The main recruitment site was a day-service centre for people who are homeless. Feasibility was assessed by the recruitment and retention rates, adherence to the exercise sessions and protein supplement as well as adverse effects, programme feedback and evaluation of characteristics of non-returners, sporadic (≤50% of available sessions) and frequent attenders (≥50% of available sessions). Effectiveness outcomes included pain (Visual Analogue Scale), physical functioning and performance (hand-grip dynamometry, limb circumference, the Short Physical Performance Battery), frailty (SHARE-FI and Clinical Frailty Scale) and nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment).ResultsThirty-one participants were recruited mean (SD) age 45(16) years. There was a recruitment rate of a median (IQR) of 2(1–3) new participants per week. The retention rate was 45% (n = 14) to the main recruitment site. Adherence to the exercise sessions and nutritional intervention was 90% and 100% respectively. Three adverse events were recorded during 74 interventions over the 16-week programme. The acceptability of the programme was highlighted in participant feedback. Characteristics of frequent returners (≥50%) were older age, female, more stably housed and more stable in addiction. The programme did not induce any changes in effectiveness outcomes.ConclusionThe feasibility of this programme was demonstrated. Overall, the programme was well received with higher retention rates in older participants, females, those more stably housed and those stable in addiction. A higher powered, more intense programme is needed to demonstrate programme effectiveness.

In 2023, the around 11.1 percent of the population was living below the national poverty line in the United States. Poverty in the United StatesAs shown in the statistic above, the poverty rate among all people living in the United States has shifted within the last 15 years. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines poverty as follows: “Absolute poverty measures poverty in relation to the amount of money necessary to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The concept of absolute poverty is not concerned with broader quality of life issues or with the overall level of inequality in society.” The poverty rate in the United States varies widely across different ethnic groups. American Indians and Alaska Natives are the ethnic group with the most people living in poverty in 2022, with about 25 percent of the population earning an income below the poverty line. In comparison to that, only 8.6 percent of the White (non-Hispanic) population and the Asian population were living below the poverty line in 2022. Children are one of the most poverty endangered population groups in the U.S. between 1990 and 2022. Child poverty peaked in 1993 with 22.7 percent of children living in poverty in that year in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, the child poverty rate in the United States was increasing every year; however,this rate was down to 15 percent in 2022. The number of people living in poverty in the U.S. varies from state to state. Compared to California, where about 4.44 million people were living in poverty in 2022, the state of Minnesota had about 429,000 people living in poverty.