The Facts About Family Homelessness
Homelessness Defined
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses the following definition from the Stewart B. McKinney Act of 1987:
The term “homeless” or “homeless individual or homeless person” is defined as:
- (1) An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
and
- (2) An individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is one of the following:
- A) Supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations
- B) An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals Intended to be institutionalized
- C) A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations for human beings.
Homelessness is one of our nation’s most misunderstood and vexing social problems. In January 2005, according to the most recent data available, an estimated 744,313 people experienced homelessness. Homelessness does not discriminate. Families with children, single adults, teenagers, and elderly individuals of all races struggle with the devastating effects of homelessness. Homelessness exists across the country, in small rural towns, suburban neighborhoods, and large metropolises. The primary cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. Over 5 million low-income households have serious housing problems due to high housing costs, substandard housing conditions, or both. While the problem of homelessness seems daunting, we can end homelessness in our nation (cite).
Doorways does not have to prescribe to any federal definitions of homelessness. Doorways serves those in worst-case housing situations, who are at-risk of becoming homeless, and those without a permanent, fixed address in addition to those who are captured under traditional definitions of homelessness. People who are doubled-up and living in overcrowded apartments and homes are living in unsafe housing conditions and also place the lease holder at risk of eviction for allowing additional tenants into the unit without approval. These individuals and families are in worst case housing situations and can be eligible for Doorways services.
Homelessness: The Facts
- Every year 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States, making up about 50 percent of the homeless population over the course of the year (cite).
- Domestic violence is the immediate cause of homelessness for many women and children. In November 2006, over 22,000 victims of domestic violence—12,000 children and 10,000 adults—received housing services from 1,243 domestic violence service providers. One study in Massachusetts found that 92 percent of homeless women had experienced severe physical or sexual assault at some point in their lives, 63 percent had been victims of violence by an intimate partner, and 32 percent had been assaulted by their current or most recent partner (cite).
- The number of households that are paying over 50 percent of their income toward housing (or are severely cost burdened according to HUD’s definition of affordable housing) is estimated to be 15.8 million. Further, 5.2 million households are considered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be living in “worst case housing” conditions, meaning they spend 50 percent of their income on rent and earn only 50 percent of the area median income or live in severely substandard housing (cite).
- Youth homelessness is disturbingly common. Although the prevalence of youth homelessness is difficult to measure, researchers estimate that about 5 to 7.7 percent of youth experience homelessness each year. The same factors that contribute to adult homelessness, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, low education levels, unemployment, mental health, and substance abuse, can lead to homelessness among youth (cite).
View more facts on family homelessness.
Children and Homelessness
On any given night, 1.2 million children are homeless. They live with or without their families, in shelters, cars, and abandoned buildings.Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, accounting for almost 40% of the nation’s homeless. Lack of affordable housing is a primary cause of homelessness in families; often one or both parents are working, but not making a livable wage. Additionally, events such as illness, unemployment, accidents and violence limit the ability to secure stable housing and affordable housing.
Learn more about the impact of homelessness on children.
