Homeless in the United States

Homeless is a situation in which people lack access to safe, decent and affordable shelter. People who are homeless may live on the streets, in a shelter, motel, or stay with friends or family members. Homeless people may also sleep in cars, tents, or other places where they can stay warm and dry.

Homelessness in the United States is a national crisis that affects 34 million Americans, or nearly one-in-10 of the nation’s population. It is an emergency situation that can be caused by a combination of factors, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, and health care or employment issues. Some of these individuals are homeless as a result of their experiences with domestic violence, and the need for long-term housing assistance often goes unmet because local Continuums of Care (CoCs) lack the necessary funding to provide adequate permanent and transitional supports.

Some communities have higher rates of homelessness than others, but the majority of people experiencing homelessness are in families, and many are children. The highest rates of homelessness are in New York, California, Florida, and Texas—which often have high costs of living, low wages, or a climate that makes them appealing to those without homes—and these states also have large populations.

While the causes of homelessness vary, research shows that housing is the single most important factor in reducing it. Most advocates embrace a “housing first” approach that prioritizes providing stable, affordable housing to people in need, and provides them with the support services they require, including mental health and addiction services. This is especially vital to address the needs of people who have experienced trauma, as those experiences can interfere with their ability to sustain jobs and maintain healthy relationships—both of which are critical for a person’s stability and well-being.

Efforts to reduce homelessness must focus on building enough deeply affordable housing in the areas where most of the country’s homeless live, and ensure that all housing options are available, including subsidized and market rate apartments. This will require addressing the root causes of homelessness, including a lack of jobs with decent pay, over-incarceration, and discriminatory practices.

Governments can no longer rely on the argument that steps towards eliminating homelessness should only be considered at later stages of development, as set out in the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment No. 4 (1991). Instead, they must make significant investments to provide the right to adequate housing for all, now. This will not only save lives, but also enable the achievement of other human rights and fundamental freedoms.*