|
Quick Facts: Homelessness in U.S. Highlights: * A majority -- 31 of 50 states and the District of Columbia -- had increases in their homeless counts. The largest increase was in Louisiana, where the homeless population doubled. Endhomelessness.org * While most people experiencing homelessness are sheltered, nearly 4 in 10 were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation. Endhomelessness.org * From 2008 to 2009, the number of unemployed people in the United States increased by 60 percent from 8.9 million to 14.3 million people. Endhomelessness.org * Nearly three-quarters of all U.S. households with incomes below the federal poverty line spend over 50 percent of monthly household income on rent. Endhomelessness.org According to a report released by the National Alliance to End Homelessness in January 2011 in Washington, D.C., homelessness is underreported in the United States. Endhomelessness.org Key findings of the report on homelessness: A majority -- 31 of 50 states and the District of Columbia -- had increases in their homeless counts. The largest increase was in Louisiana, where the homeless population doubled. Endhomelessness.org There were also increased numbers of people experiencing homelessness in each of the subpopulations examined in this report: families, individuals, chronic, unsheltered. Endhomelessness.org Among subpopulations, the largest percentage increase was in the number of family households, which increased by over 3,200 households -- or 4 percent. Endhomelessness.org Also, the number of persons in families increased by more than 6,000 people -- or 3 percent. In Mississippi, the number of people in homeless families increased by 260 percent. Endhomelessness.org While most people experiencing homelessness are sheltered, nearly 4 in 10 were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation. Endhomelessness.org In Wisconsin, twice as many people experienced homelessness without shelter in 2009 as did in 2008. Endhomelessness.org Economic indicators Every state and the District of Columbia had an increase in the number of unemployed people. The number of unemployed people in Wyoming doubled. Endhomelessness.org Nearly three-quarters of all U.S. households with incomes below the federal poverty line spend over 50 percent of the monthly household income on rent. Endhomelessness.org Forty states saw an increase in the number of poor households experiencing severe housing cost burden from 2008 to 2009. Endhomelessness.org While real income among all U.S. workers decreased by 1 percent in 2009, poor workers' income decreased even more -- dropping by 2 percent to $9,151. Poor workers in Alaska, the District of Columbia, Maine, and Rhode Island saw their incomes decrease by more than 10 percent. Endhomelessness.org Foreclosure affected nearly half a million more households in 2009 than in 2008, a 21 percent increase for a total of 2.8 million foreclosed units in 2009. Endhomelessness.org Demographic drivers Over the course of a year, the estimated odds of experiencing homelessness for a doubled-up person are 1 in 10. Endhomelessness.org Over the course of a year, the estimated odds of experiencing homelessness for a released prisoner are 1 in 11. Endhomelessness.org Over the course of a year, the estimated odds of experiencing homelessness for a young adult who ages out of foster care are 1 in 6. Endhomelessness.org While the national number of uninsured people remained relatively constant, 33 states saw an increase in the number of uninsured people. Endhomelessness.org States with multiple risk factors California, Florida, and Nevada -- states known to have been disproportionately impacted by the recent housing crisis -- have both high rates of homelessness and high levels of unemployment, foreclosure, housing cost burden, lack of insurance, and doubling-up. Endhomelessness.org ARA/SM/MMN |
