Homeless in America – History, Methods, and Prevalence of Homelessness

Homeless is a broad term used to describe individuals who lack an adequate and permanent living arrangement. Homeless individuals may reside in a variety of settings, including tents, public spaces, motels, apartments, and even cars. The number of people experiencing homelessness is unknown, as data collection methods are a challenge for a population that often moves from place to place in order to avoid detection and obtain services. The issue of homeless is a national concern, yet there are significant differences in the characteristics and prevalence of homelessness across communities and regions. This section explores the history of homelessness in America, discusses methodologies for estimating its prevalence, and examines a growing body of scholarly work on specific subpopulations of the homeless.

The term homeless was first used in the United States in the 1870s, when industrialization and urbanization enabled people to move to new cities seeking work opportunities. Jacob Riis, a Danish social reformer and muckraker who became a prominent photojournalist, wrote of the “great army of tramps” riding railroads in search of jobs in the cities. Riis’s account is an early and compelling description of homelessness.

Since the time of Riis, much has changed about the nation’s housing system and the conditions under which many Americans find themselves without homes. Some of the factors that contribute to homelessness include periods of unemployment, deteriorating public assistance programs, and a limited supply of affordable housing options. Others are more complicated, such as family rejection of people based on sexual orientation or gender identity and the prevalence of domestic violence.

The vast majority of the current homeless population is male (61 percent in 2022) and most are living alone. However, women are the fastest-growing segment of the homelessness population and are more likely to experience chronic or episodic homelessness than men. Women who are homeless are also more likely to live outside, where they face a higher risk of assault and harassment.

Homelessness is primarily an urban phenomenon, although suburban and rural populations are also affected. Compared to urban areas, a larger percentage of homeless people in suburban and rural areas are families with children and those living in rural areas tend to have more mental health and substance use problems. Rural communities are also more likely to report a greater shortage of affordable and available housing options than urban areas.

In the United States, the federal government defines homelessness as a person who lacks a safe, decent, and affordable place to sleep and has not been sheltered for at least 14 days. Local governments, with the help of private organizations, often organize a point-in-time count of homeless people on a single night to identify the size and characteristics of their populations and the extent to which they are accessing services and utilizing resources for shelter and housing.

These point-in-time estimates are critical for assessing the success of various interventions, including supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and community-based strategies. They are also a critical input to federal and local policy decisions.