Percentage-wise: 0.2% of the American population lives in a state of homelessness.
Though, monitoring the exact number of the homeless population in the US is no easy task. Seeing how there are no fool-proof ways of identifying them, there could be even more of them on the streets.
Every year, roughly 13,000 homeless people die in the US.
When you think about it, homelessness is a significant health risk for individuals. Having a roof above your head becomes a matter of life and death, according to homeless statistics.
89.7% of homeless persons are 24 years old or more.
Meaning, homelessness predominantly affects adults and not children, which is a fair assessment of the situation. Indeed, housing and social policies are specifically designed to protect children, making sure they stay safe and sheltered even when they don’t have a home
Stats on homeless demographics reveal: age disparities are a common occurrence on the street — only 15.6% of homeless are aged 51–61.
Individuals in this age group are in homeless in shelters, transitional housing and living in the streets.
Only 3.2% of homeless individuals are aged 62 or more, according to statistics on homelessness.
according to statistics on homelessness. Indeed, their rough living situation makes it almost impossible for homeless people to experience old age. Homeless persons tend to be older individuals who, for health or income reasons, find themselves without a home.
Over 70% of homeless persons are young adults below the age of 50.
As terrifying as it sounds, homelessness is more likely to affect people aged 24–50; hence, the homeless population is comparatively younger than the total US population
20% of homeless individuals are, in fact, kids.
Thankfully, they are more likely to be placed in shelters than left on the streets.
42% of street children identify as LGBT.
Research has shown that those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ+) have a 120% higher risk of experiencing some form of homelessness. They are also more likely to experience assault, trauma, depression, and suicide when compared to non-LGBTQ+ populations while also being homeless.
40% of all homeless men are veterans.
Far too many veterans are homeless in America. Many veterans are struggling with excessive rent burdens and thus at increased risk of homelessness. Further, there is concern about the future.
8% of homeless veterans are women.
Women veterans and those with disabilities including post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are more likely to become homeless, and a higher percentage of veterans returning from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have these characteristics.
The Most Common Causes of Homelessness in America
For women in particular, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. the country report that top causes of homelessness among families were: (1) lack of affordable housing, (2) unemployment, (3) poverty, and (4) low wages, in that order
Sources
HUD Exchange Whitehouse National Homeless Forbes National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty Street Kids AHAR AC Online PBS HUD
There is to much domestic violence going on with children and parents, and husband and wives. The world is in a place we never have seen before. Instead of coming together we are tearing each other apart. People are running to the heartless streets for safety because they are not secure in their own homes. It is a heart-breaking situation