United States Homeless Statistics
- 3.5 million people will experience homelessness in a given year. 1.35 million of them (39%) are children.
- At any given point in time, up to 800,000 people are homeless in the United States.
- Up to 40% of the homeless population are part of homeless families.
- About half are single men and about one sixth are single women.
- 16% are mentally ill.
- Up to 50% of homeless women cite domestic abuse as the reason for being without a home.
- Up to 20% of homeless people have full-time jobs.
- 30% of adults in homeless families have full-time jobs.
- It is possible to work full-time at the national minimum wage ($5.85) and still live below the federal poverty line.
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; The National Coalition for the Homeless.