AFH members have created a comprehensive presentation about homelessness. Click here to view it.
Homelessness in America
The Issue:
Homelessness is a prominent issue in the USA. On one night in 2018, 552,830 people were homeless. This represents a rate of 17 people homeless per 10,000 people in a population. As for specific groups of people, homeless individuals make up 67% of the homeless population while the remaining people are people in families and children. Some additional subpopulations include homeless youth and veterans. 70% of the homeless individuals are males, and 49% of all the homeless in America are white.
Although overall rates of homelessness have decreased from 2007 to 2017 by 14.4%, homelessness increased by 0.7% from 2016 to 2017 and by 0.3% from 2017-2018. It is important that the more fortunate in our country join to fight these rising rates. The most notable decrease is that of homeless veterans, which dropped by 38% since 2017.
In individual states, Michigan, Kentucky and Georgia had the largest percentage decreases while Washington D.C. and California had the largest percentage increases. In all, 36 states reported decreases in overall homelessness rates, while 14 and the District of Columbia reported increases.
The Response to the Crisis:
In our country, many of the communities are responding to homelessness by providing housing options and services. This includes the most effective – permanent housing—as well as emergency shelters, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing (the definitions are listed below for reference). Permanent Housing represents 41.8% of the homeless assistance beds in America. In total, these assistance providers offer temporary beds for about 70% of the people experiencing homelessness on a given night, unfortunately leaving 30% without beds.
Definitions:
Emergency Shelters: short-term accommodation for people who are recently homeless where they can get basic necessities such as a place to sleep, shower, eat, wash clothes, etc.
Transitional Housing: temporary housing that is set up to transition residents into permanent housing by providing services to help stabilize their lives
Permanent Housing: safe and stable housing environments with support and services that help people manage chronic issues such as drug abuse and mental disorders
Rapid Re-housing: short-term rental assistance and services that help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed
If you would like to read more about homelessness in America, visit the link below:
https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/
Homelessness is a prominent issue in the USA. On one night in 2018, 552,830 people were homeless. This represents a rate of 17 people homeless per 10,000 people in a population. As for specific groups of people, homeless individuals make up 67% of the homeless population while the remaining people are people in families and children. Some additional subpopulations include homeless youth and veterans. 70% of the homeless individuals are males, and 49% of all the homeless in America are white.
Although overall rates of homelessness have decreased from 2007 to 2017 by 14.4%, homelessness increased by 0.7% from 2016 to 2017 and by 0.3% from 2017-2018. It is important that the more fortunate in our country join to fight these rising rates. The most notable decrease is that of homeless veterans, which dropped by 38% since 2017.
In individual states, Michigan, Kentucky and Georgia had the largest percentage decreases while Washington D.C. and California had the largest percentage increases. In all, 36 states reported decreases in overall homelessness rates, while 14 and the District of Columbia reported increases.
The Response to the Crisis:
In our country, many of the communities are responding to homelessness by providing housing options and services. This includes the most effective – permanent housing—as well as emergency shelters, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing (the definitions are listed below for reference). Permanent Housing represents 41.8% of the homeless assistance beds in America. In total, these assistance providers offer temporary beds for about 70% of the people experiencing homelessness on a given night, unfortunately leaving 30% without beds.
Definitions:
Emergency Shelters: short-term accommodation for people who are recently homeless where they can get basic necessities such as a place to sleep, shower, eat, wash clothes, etc.
Transitional Housing: temporary housing that is set up to transition residents into permanent housing by providing services to help stabilize their lives
Permanent Housing: safe and stable housing environments with support and services that help people manage chronic issues such as drug abuse and mental disorders
Rapid Re-housing: short-term rental assistance and services that help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed
If you would like to read more about homelessness in America, visit the link below:
https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/
Homelessness in King County
According to The Seattle Times, King County has the third largest population of homeless people in the United States. In 2017, there were 11,643 people experiencing homelessness, which is close behind the leading homeless population rates in New York and Los Angeles. However, the rates have decreased in the past. Just in 2019, the homelessness rate dropped by 8% from 2018. This was not celebrated widely, since thousands are still living on the streets, and Seattle has continually put effort into providing more housing assistance and services.
Specifically, the number of homeless people of color have increased while the number of whites experiencing homelessness has decreased. The number of Native Americans experiencing homelessness have nearly tripled making up 10% of the homeless population, while they only make up 1% of the general population in King County. Homelessness amongst African Americans also went up by 8% in 2019.
If you would like to read more about homelessness in King County, visit the links below:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/king-county-homeless-population-third-largest-in-u-s/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/homeless-count-drops-for-the-first-time-since-2012-but-officials-arent-celebrating-yet/
Specifically, the number of homeless people of color have increased while the number of whites experiencing homelessness has decreased. The number of Native Americans experiencing homelessness have nearly tripled making up 10% of the homeless population, while they only make up 1% of the general population in King County. Homelessness amongst African Americans also went up by 8% in 2019.
If you would like to read more about homelessness in King County, visit the links below:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/king-county-homeless-population-third-largest-in-u-s/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/homeless-count-drops-for-the-first-time-since-2012-but-officials-arent-celebrating-yet/