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.

In 2023, the estimated number of homeless people in the United States was highest in California, with about ******* homeless people living in California in that year.

The graph displays the top 15 states by an estimated number of homeless people in the United States for the year 2025. The x-axis represents U.S. states, while the y-axis shows the number of homeless individuals in each state. California has the highest homeless population with 187,084 individuals, followed by New York with 158,019, while Hawaii places last in this dataset with 11,637. This bar graph highlights significant differences across states, with some states like California and New York showing notably higher counts compared to others, indicating regional disparities in homelessness levels across the country.

Between 2022 and 2023, New Hampshire had the highest positive percentage change in the estimated number of homeless people in the United States, with the number of homeless people living in New Hampshire increasing by 52.1 percent within this time period.

The graph displays the estimated number of homeless people in the United States from 2007 to 2024. The x-axis represents the years, ranging from 2007 to 2023, while the y-axis indicates the number of homeless individuals. The estimated homeless population varies over this period, ranging from a low of 57,645 in 2014 to a high of 771,000 in 2024. From 2007 to 2013, there is a general decline in numbers from 647,258 to 590,364. In 2014, the number drops significantly to 57,645, followed by an increase to 564,708 in 2015. The data shows fluctuations in subsequent years, with another notable low of 55,283 in 2018. From 2019 onwards, the estimated number of homeless people generally increases, reaching its peak in 2024. This data highlights fluctuations in homelessness estimates over the years, with a recent upward trend in the homeless population.

In 2023, there were about ******* homeless people estimated to be living in the United States, the highest number of homeless people recorded within the provided time period. In comparison, the second-highest number of homeless people living in the U.S. within this time period was in 2007, at *******. How is homelessness calculated? Calculating homelessness is complicated for several different reasons. For one, it is challenging to determine how many people are homeless as there is no direct definition for homelessness. Additionally, it is difficult to try and find every single homeless person that exists. Sometimes they cannot be reached, leaving people unaccounted for. In the United States, the Department of Housing and Urban Development calculates the homeless population by counting the number of people on the streets and the number of people in homeless shelters on one night each year. According to this count, Los Angeles City and New York City are the cities with the most homeless people in the United States. Homelessness in the United States Between 2022 and 2023, New Hampshire saw the highest increase in the number of homeless people. However, California was the state with the highest number of homeless people, followed by New York and Florida. The vast amount of homelessness in California is a result of multiple factors, one of them being the extreme high cost of living, as well as opposition to mandatory mental health counseling and drug addiction. However, the District of Columbia had the highest estimated rate of homelessness per 10,000 people in 2023. This was followed by New York, Vermont, and Oregon.

In 2023, there were about 10,173 homeless youth living in California, the most out of any U.S. state. New York had the second-highest number of homeless youth in that year, at 4,468.

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 the United States, California had the highest amount of homeless children and youths enrolled in their schools for the school year 2019-20 at 246,350 students. North Carolina had 28,877 recorded homeless students for the same year. A homeless child or youth is someone who lacks a fixed residence or is forced to share housing due to economic hardship.

In the period from 2012 to 2013, discoveries in shale oil and advances in drilling techniques created an oil boom in North Dakota. Migrant workers from across the continent flocked to the rural prairie state in search of plentiful and well-paying jobs. The state now boasts high economic indexes across the board, including the lowest unemployment rate in the country. But the boom has put a strain on North Dakota's infrastructure. As some cities nearly double their populations, housing has been unable to keep pace with the growth. Employed and healthy individuals are forced to brave the frigid northern conditions in cars and tents.The three maps in this web application paint a picture of the homeless problem in North Dakota by showing how the state's homeless counts, percentages, and change compare to the rest of the United States. While North Dakota's total homeless population is relatively low, the population is high for its size and growing at a tremendous rate.

In 2022, about ****** veterans living in California were homeless, the most out of all U.S. states.

This statistic depicts the rate of homeless individuals in the United States in 2017, by metropolitan area. In 2017, the rate of homelessness per 10,000 individuals was highest in New York City, at 88.7.

Homelessness Report April 2025. Published by Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Available under the license Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 (CC-BY-SA-4.0).Homelessness data Official homelessness data is produced by local authorities through the Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS). PASS was rolled-out nationally during the course of 2013. The Department’s official homelessness statistics are published on a monthly basis and refer to the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities during a specific count week, typically the last full week of the month. The reports are produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), collated on a regional basis and compiled and published by the Department. Homelessness reporting commenced in this format in 2014. The format of the data may change or vary over time due to administrative and/or technology changes and improvements. The administration of homeless services is organised across nine administrative regions, with one local authority in each of the regions, “the lead authority”, having overall responsibility for the disbursement of Exchequer funding. In each region a Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum exists which includes representation from the relevant State and non-governmental organisations involved in the delivery of homeless services in a particular region. Delegated arrangements are governed by an annually agreed protocol between the Department and the lead authority in each region. These protocols set out the arrangements, responsibilities and financial/performance data reporting requirements for the delegation of funding from the Department. Under Sections 38 and 39 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 a statutory Management Group exists for each regional forum. This is comprised of representatives from the relevant housing authorities and the Health Service Executive, and it is the responsibility of the Management Group to consider issues around the need for homeless services and to plan for the implementation, funding and co-ordination of such services. In relation to the terms used in the report for the accommodation types see explanation below: PEA - Private Emergency Accommodation: this may include hotels, B&Bs and other residential facilities that are used on an emergency basis. Supports are provided to services users on a visiting supports basis. STA - Supported Temporary Accommodation: accommodation, including family hubs, hostels, with onsite professional support. TEA - Temporary Emergency Accommodation: emergency accommodation with no (or minimal) support....

This statistic shows the estimated number of chronically homeless people in the United States in 2020, by state. In 2020, there were about 51,785 chronically homeless people living in California.

Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for United States was 12.50% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for United States reached a record high of 15.90 in January of 2011 and a record low of 11.30 in January of 2000. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

The most recent rate of homelessness is calculated using ACS population estimates from the previous year, unless otherwise noted.

Data Source: HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) Point-in-Time (PIT) Estimates by State and American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates

Why this MattersSafe, adequate, and stable housing is a human right and essential for the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.People who experience homelessness also struggle to maintain access to healthcare, employment, education, healthy relationships, and other basic necessities in life, according to the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness Strategic Plan.BIPOC populations are disproportionately affected by homelessness due to housing discrimination, mass incarceration, and other policies that have limited socioeconomic opportunities for Black, Latino, and other people of color.

The District's Response Strategic investments in proven strategies for driving down homelessness, including the Career Mobility Action Plan (Career MAP) program, operation of non-congregate housing, and expansion of the District’s shelter capacity.Homelessness prevention programs for at-risk individuals and families, such as emergency rental assistance, targeted affordable housing, and permanent supporting housing.Programs and services to enhance resident’s economic and employment security and ensure access to affordable housing.

Community housing and homeless shelters, mostly small nonprofits, heavily depend on government and charitable funding. According to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR 2023), out % of 653,100 individuals experiencing homelessness, 60.7% were sheltered, while 39.3% remained unsheltered, highlighting a significant underserved market. The pandemic increased unemployment, housing costs and poverty levels, raising demand for shelter services, with government support aiding many establishments. As a result, industry revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%, reaching $21.9 billion by 2024, with a 2.0% climb in 2024 alone. Notably, industry profit rose to 7.0%, with most profit reinvested into operations, as 96.0% of shelters are nonprofits and 98.0% of community housing providers are federally tax-exempt. Individual service needs vary widely. About one-third of shelter services cater to emergency housing. Six out of ten people experiencing homelessness are in urban areas, explaining the concentration of shelters in cities. Also, three out of ten people experiencing homelessness come from a family with children. Catering to a diverse demographic (families, youths, adults, veterans) can restrict economies of scale, but specialized services can attract targeted charitable contributions. Urban shelters face higher rents and costs because of competitive pressures. However, they can gain from group purchasing, network development for better rates and spreading positive information to boost donations. Service provision is expected to remain fragmented, with shelters competing intensely for grants. Donations will fluctuate depending on the economy, increasing during booms and decreasing in downturns. Shelters integrating telehealth, training and security measures may attract a broader group, reducing unsheltered homelessness and increasing revenue for service and infrastructure improvements. Despite favorable economic trends, such as decreasing poverty and unemployment rates and slower housing price growth, revenue will strengthen at a CAGR of only 0.2%, reaching $22.0 billion by 2029.

This statistic presents the estimated rate of homelessness across Australia in 2016, by state or territory. According to the source, there were approximately 599 homeless people per 10,000 people living in the Northern Territory on Census night in 2016.

Many U.S. states have introduced strategies to ensure safe, decent, and stable housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. To better understand the steps states have taken to prevent homelessness, a special policy scorecard for each state was developed. Washington D.C. had the highest score among the states, which amounted to 4.63. On the contrary, Maryland, Georgia, Arkansas, Alaska, Wisconsin, and Ohio received zero points, which indicated that they had introduced no housing policy measures in response to the pandemic, or the protections they brought in have expired.