Homeless Continuum of Care Count 2022
Homeless people lack a safe and stable place to sleep at night. They live without adequate food, clothing, or shelter and are exposed to the elements on a daily basis. They often have a variety of health problems, including mental illness and substance use disorder. They also struggle to find and keep jobs. And they face a shortage of affordable housing.
Homelessness is complex and challenging to solve. It is not a single issue, but rather the symptom of broader economic and social trends. For instance, the high cost of living in many communities has made it difficult for working families to afford a home. This situation has led to the decline in middle-class wages and a corresponding increase in poverty and homelessness. In addition, a lack of affordable and available homes has contributed to the rapid expansion of rental housing markets in some areas. This has increased demand for rental units and also pushed rents higher for low-income tenants, causing many to lose their homes.
In recent years, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the United States has risen steadily and is now at record levels. In response, there is growing recognition that policies must be multidisciplinary and focused on the root causes of homelessness; research and funding must be increased; and education about the problem must improve.
Definition of Homeless
A person is homeless when they lack a permanent and adequate place to sleep at night (Section 2(h) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act). This category includes people who are in public or private places not meant for human habitation, living in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs, or exiting an institution such as a hospital or jail. The 2022 Point-in-Time Count also includes new categories for families with children, individuals who are unaccompanied by a household member and are not considered youth, and people who are a Continuum of Care’s highest need, based on their history of experience in homelessness.
Despite recent gains in homelessness prevention and housing stability, the problem is persistent and widespread in many communities across the country. In fact, a handful of states and communities account for more than half of the overall population of people experiencing homelessness. And a handful of Continuums of Care manage the largest homeless populations in the nation.
Identifying those locations with disproportionately large homeless populations helps target resources to where they are needed most. It also allows us to learn more about the challenges and successes that these jurisdictions are having. This information can inform the development of effective and equitable solutions. This is an important step in our efforts to make sure everyone has a place to call home.