HASPA

Facts About Homelessness

The definition of homelessness points out the one thing that unifies all homeless persons – the lack of a fixed residence. Counting our fluid homeless population is perhaps a task as difficult as determining the number of angels on the head of a pin. Further, just as there is no single issue that causes homelessness, there is no single solution. The face of homelessness cannot be painted. It is as divergent as the population in general. There are, however, snapshots that can be taken to capture the demographics of homelessness.

During 2004, the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report examining the status of hunger and homelessness in 27 U.S. cities. Of the 27 cities responding, 19 reported an increase in shelter requests over the past year. Other key findings included:

13% average increase in requests for emergency shelter; 22% increase in requests for shelter by homeless families alone.
An average of 37% of requests for emergency shelter by homeless individuals overall were unmet over the past year; 52% of requests were unmet for homeless families.
The average episode of homelessness lasted 6 months. 54% of the cities reported an increase in the length of time people experience homelessness.
According to estimates of the responding cities, 40% of people experiencing homelessness are single men; 40% are families with children; 14% are single women and 4% are unaccompanied minors.
22% of homeless people in the responding cities are considered mentally ill; 34% are substance abusers; 20% are employed; and 19% are veterans.
86% of the cities reported increases in requests for assisted housing by low-income families and individuals during the last year.
Applicants must wait an average of 16 month for public housing in the survey cities.
38% of eligible low-income households are currently served by assisted housing programs.
In 100% of the cities, families and individuals relied on emergency food assistance facilities both in emergencies and as a steady source of food over long periods of time. 48 % requesting emergency food assistance were members of families with children, and 38% of adults requesting such assistance were employed.

The United States Conference of Mayors – Sodexho USA
A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities
A 27-City Survey, December 2004
(see - www.usmayors.org/uscm/home.asp )

There are many other reports that provide informative local, state and national data, and HASPA encourages you to examine the changing trends in your area to provide a base understanding for your individual purposes. We encourage our members to share with one another not only important and valuable statistical data, but also the humanity of those within the numbers. As we share our best practices with one another, we will continue to move toward reducing our insufficiencies and gaining better understanding and agreement.

HASPA

Providing Hope for the Homeless Through
Compassion, Collaboration and Education

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