GITNUXREPORT 2026

United States Homelessness Statistics

Homelessness is sharply rising in America with over six hundred fifty thousand people affected.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Affordable housing shortage primary cause, 7.1M low-income households lack units.

Statistic 2

Rent burden over 50% income for 16M households at homelessness risk.

Statistic 3

Evictions rose 20% post-2022 moratorium, displacing 1M+ annually.

Statistic 4

Poverty rate among extremely low-income renters at 30.9% in 2022.

Statistic 5

Domestic violence leads to homelessness for 1 in 4 homeless women.

Statistic 6

Mental illness affects 20-25% severely, untreated leading to housing loss.

Statistic 7

Addiction disorders contribute to 38% of chronic homelessness cases.

Statistic 8

Foster youth aging out: 20-25% homeless within 2 years.

Statistic 9

Veteran PTSD correlates with 11% higher homelessness risk.

Statistic 10

Job loss during recessions doubles homelessness rates short-term.

Statistic 11

Natural disasters displace 40,000 into homelessness annually avg.

Statistic 12

Incarceration reentry failure: 67% rearrested, many homeless.

Statistic 13

Medical debt bankrupts 530,000 yearly, leading to housing instability.

Statistic 14

Child welfare involvement triples homelessness risk for families.

Statistic 15

Gentrification displaces 10,000 low-income per major city yearly.

Statistic 16

Wage stagnation: minimum wage covers 87% less rent than 1970.

Statistic 17

COVID-19 economic fallout increased homelessness 11% by 2022.

Statistic 18

Systemic racism: Black eviction rates 2x white in same areas.

Statistic 19

Lack of childcare forces 25% single mothers into instability.

Statistic 20

Gambling/sex trafficking victims 10-15% enter homelessness.

Statistic 21

High school dropout correlates with 3x homelessness risk.

Statistic 22

Foreclosures peaked at 2.8M in 2010, spiking homelessness.

Statistic 23

Utility shutoffs displace 1M low-income yearly pre-assistance.

Statistic 24

Migration from high-cost states adds 5% to urban homelessness.

Statistic 25

Poor credit history blocks housing for 25% formerly homeless.

Statistic 26

Pandemic school closures increased family homelessness 15%.

Statistic 27

Climate change events like wildfires added 10,000 homeless in CA 2020.

Statistic 28

Unemployment insurance gaps leave 40% without support.

Statistic 29

Males comprised 59.8% of the homeless population in 2023 PIT counts.

Statistic 30

Females made up 39.7% of homeless individuals counted in 2023.

Statistic 31

Black or African American people were 32% of homeless despite 13% population share.

Statistic 32

Hispanic/Latino individuals represented 31% of homeless in 2023 PIT.

Statistic 33

White non-Hispanic homeless were 24% in 2023 counts.

Statistic 34

5.2% of homeless were Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander in 2023.

Statistic 35

American Indian/Alaska Native comprised 2.9% of 2023 homeless population.

Statistic 36

Individuals aged 18-24 were 8.4% of homeless in 2023 PIT.

Statistic 37

Seniors over 55 made up 22% of homeless population in 2023.

Statistic 38

Unaccompanied youth (under 25) totaled 34,849 in 2023 PIT counts.

Statistic 39

Veterans were 4.1% of total homeless (28,192) in 2023.

Statistic 40

LGBTQ+ youth are 40% of homeless youth despite 7-10% of youth population.

Statistic 41

Black women experience homelessness at 1 in 30 lifetime risk vs. 1 in 104 white women.

Statistic 42

7% of homeless were parenting youth under 25 in 2023.

Statistic 43

Gender non-conforming identified as 2.4% of homeless in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 44

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders overrepresented at 24x rate in Hawaii homelessness.

Statistic 45

In families, 55% of adults were female in 2023 homeless households.

Statistic 46

Children under 18 were 17.5% of sheltered homeless in 2023.

Statistic 47

40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+ per Chapin Hall study.

Statistic 48

Single males over 50% of unsheltered homeless in Western states.

Statistic 49

Black individuals 37% of family homelessness in 2023.

Statistic 50

12.1% of homeless had severe mental illness per 2023 data.

Statistic 51

Foster care youth 20% more likely to experience homelessness.

Statistic 52

Transgender individuals 2x rate of homelessness per general pop.

Statistic 53

Rural homeless demographics show higher family rates at 40%.

Statistic 54

Incarcerated releasees 10-14% homeless within first year.

Statistic 55

Domestic violence survivors 38% of homeless women per studies.

Statistic 56

6.7% of homeless were under 18 unaccompanied in 2023.

Statistic 57

Hispanic homeless families 26% of total family homeless in 2023.

Statistic 58

Substance use disorder among 27% of homeless per 2023 PIT.

Statistic 59

Homeless individuals die 16 years earlier than general population.

Statistic 60

26% of homeless have severe mental illness vs. 6% general pop.

Statistic 61

Substance use disorders affect 38% of homeless adults annually.

Statistic 62

Homeless youth HIV rate 5x national average at 5-7%.

Statistic 63

Emergency room visits 5x higher for homeless, costing $2.5B yearly.

Statistic 64

40% of homeless veterans have PTSD diagnosis.

Statistic 65

Life expectancy for homeless women 43 years vs. 78 general.

Statistic 66

Frostbite and exposure cause 700 deaths yearly among homeless.

Statistic 67

Homeless children miss 2x school days, graduation 87% lower.

Statistic 68

25% of unsheltered have untreated chronic diseases.

Statistic 69

Suicide rate 3.5x higher among homeless populations.

Statistic 70

TB infection rates 5x higher in homeless shelters.

Statistic 71

Homeless mothers 40% higher postpartum depression rates.

Statistic 72

Incarceration rates 7x higher for homeless individuals.

Statistic 73

Child homelessness linked to 2x asthma hospitalization risk.

Statistic 74

70% of homeless report food insecurity chronically.

Statistic 75

Dental care access leads to 4x emergency visits for pain.

Statistic 76

Homeless veterans overdose deaths 7x civilian rate.

Statistic 77

Street violence victimization 10x general population rate.

Statistic 78

Chronic homelessness costs $35,578 per person yearly in services.

Statistic 79

Homeless students proficiency scores 20% below housed peers.

Statistic 80

Hepatitis C prevalence 20x higher at 20-30% in homeless.

Statistic 81

50% of homeless women report sexual assault history.

Statistic 82

Average hospital stay 4 days longer for homeless patients.

Statistic 83

Obesity rates 50% higher due to food instability.

Statistic 84

Homeless youth 40% higher depression diagnosis rates.

Statistic 85

Firearm injury hospitalizations 3x rate among homeless.

Statistic 86

30% of homeless have developmental disabilities.

Statistic 87

Housing First reduces ER visits by 48% per participant.

Statistic 88

Permanent supportive housing serves 300,000 nationwide annually.

Statistic 89

HUD's Continuum of Care program funded $3.2B in 2023 for homelessness.

Statistic 90

Rapid re-housing assisted 85,000 households in 2022.

Statistic 91

Section 8 vouchers cover 2.3M low-income, but waitlists 10M+.

Statistic 92

Housing First model ends chronic homelessness for 85% participants.

Statistic 93

Emergency rental assistance prevented 800,000 evictions in 2021.

Statistic 94

VA's HUD-VASH provided 100,000+ vouchers to vets since 2008.

Statistic 95

50 states expanded Medicaid, covering 40% homeless health needs.

Statistic 96

Project Homekey created 15,000 units from hotels in CA by 2023.

Statistic 97

National Low Income Housing Coalition pushes 7M new units needed.

Statistic 98

Youth homelessness prevention funded $150M via Runaway Homeless Act.

Statistic 99

Supportive services via CoCs reached 250,000 individuals in 2023.

Statistic 100

Eviction moratoriums 2020-2022 averted 3M homelessness cases.

Statistic 101

LIHTC produced 3.5M affordable units since 1986.

Statistic 102

SAMHSA grants $450M yearly for homeless behavioral health.

Statistic 103

Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative housed 400,000 since 2003.

Statistic 104

Mobile clinics served 1M homeless health visits in 2022.

Statistic 105

Universal basic income pilots reduced homelessness 30% in trials.

Statistic 106

Tiny home villages housed 5,000 in 50+ programs nationwide.

Statistic 107

Legal aid prevents 20% housing losses via representation.

Statistic 108

Schoolhouse to homeless pipeline: McKinney-Vento aids 1.5M students.

Statistic 109

Bond measures funded $20B affordable housing in 2022 elections.

Statistic 110

PSH yields $1.44 savings per $1 invested in services.

Statistic 111

Outreach teams contact 100,000 unsheltered yearly via CoCs.

Statistic 112

Zoning reform in 20 states increased density housing supply 10%.

Statistic 113

Family reunification programs stabilize 60% homeless families.

Statistic 114

On a single night in January 2023, 653,104 people experienced homelessness in the US, marking a 12.1% increase from 2022.

Statistic 115

The 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count showed 421,402 sheltered individuals and 231,709 unsheltered.

Statistic 116

California had the highest homeless population at 171,521 in 2023 PIT count, comprising 26% of the national total.

Statistic 117

New York reported 91,271 homeless individuals in 2023, second highest nationally.

Statistic 118

From 2019 to 2023, overall homelessness rose by 18.1%, driven by unsheltered increases.

Statistic 119

Unsheltered homelessness increased 7.4% from 2022 to 2023, totaling 231,709 people.

Statistic 120

Sheltered homelessness grew 19% from 2007 to 2023 levels.

Statistic 121

In 2022, 582,462 people were counted homeless on a single night per HUD PIT.

Statistic 122

Chronic homelessness affected 143,361 people in 2023, 22% of total homeless population.

Statistic 123

Family homelessness represented 32% of the homeless population in 2023 PIT counts.

Statistic 124

In 2023, 18 states saw double-digit increases in homelessness over 2022.

Statistic 125

The PIT count methodology underestimates true homelessness by 20-30% due to invisibility.

Statistic 126

In 2020, amid COVID-19, sheltered homelessness dropped 8% due to hotel conversions.

Statistic 127

Florida's homeless count rose 23% from 2022 to 2023 to 25,941 individuals.

Statistic 128

Washington's homeless population increased 25% from 2022 to 2023.

Statistic 129

In 2023, 66% of homeless people were in the top 50 Continuum of Care areas.

Statistic 130

Youth homelessness estimated at 4.2 million unaccompanied minors annually beyond PIT.

Statistic 131

In 2022, 35,000 homeless individuals were reported in Hawaii per PIT.

Statistic 132

Unsheltered rate highest in Western states at 64% of homeless population in 2023.

Statistic 133

Total emergency shelter beds numbered 356,903 in 2023 CoC inventory.

Statistic 134

From 2007-2023, total homelessness decreased 9.4% but rose recently.

Statistic 135

In 2023, 28,192 homeless veterans were counted, down 7.5% from 2022.

Statistic 136

DC had the highest per capita homelessness rate at 66.6 per 10,000 in 2023.

Statistic 137

Oregon's homeless count hit 20,142 in 2023, up 14.4%.

Statistic 138

In 2023 PIT, 152,585 individuals were in emergency shelters.

Statistic 139

Transitional housing housed 124,317 homeless people in 2023.

Statistic 140

Safe haven beds totaled 6,500 for 2023 inventory nationwide.

Statistic 141

From 2020-2023, unsheltered homelessness surged 33% post-COVID.

Statistic 142

In 2023, 360,000+ beds were available across shelter types.

Statistic 143

Hawaii's per capita rate was 48.5 homeless per 10,000 residents in 2023.

1/143

Sources

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While over half a million Americans sleep without a home tonight, the stark reality of U.S. homelessness extends far beyond a single staggering number, revealing a deepening crisis marked by a 12% surge in just one year, widespread systemic inequities, and heartbreaking human costs.

Key Takeaways

On a single night in January 2023, 653,104 people experienced homelessness in the US, marking a 12.1% increase from 2022.
The 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count showed 421,402 sheltered individuals and 231,709 unsheltered.
California had the highest homeless population at 171,521 in 2023 PIT count, comprising 26% of the national total.
Males comprised 59.8% of the homeless population in 2023 PIT counts.
Females made up 39.7% of homeless individuals counted in 2023.
Black or African American people were 32% of homeless despite 13% population share.
Affordable housing shortage primary cause, 7.1M low-income households lack units.
Rent burden over 50% income for 16M households at homelessness risk.
Evictions rose 20% post-2022 moratorium, displacing 1M+ annually.
Homeless individuals die 16 years earlier than general population.
26% of homeless have severe mental illness vs. 6% general pop.
Substance use disorders affect 38% of homeless adults annually.
Permanent supportive housing serves 300,000 nationwide annually.
HUD's Continuum of Care program funded $3.2B in 2023 for homelessness.
Rapid re-housing assisted 85,000 households in 2022.

Homelessness is sharply rising in America with over six hundred fifty thousand people affected.

Causes and Risk Factors

Affordable housing shortage primary cause, 7.1M low-income households lack units.
Rent burden over 50% income for 16M households at homelessness risk.
Evictions rose 20% post-2022 moratorium, displacing 1M+ annually.
Poverty rate among extremely low-income renters at 30.9% in 2022.
Domestic violence leads to homelessness for 1 in 4 homeless women.
Mental illness affects 20-25% severely, untreated leading to housing loss.
Addiction disorders contribute to 38% of chronic homelessness cases.
Foster youth aging out: 20-25% homeless within 2 years.
Veteran PTSD correlates with 11% higher homelessness risk.
Job loss during recessions doubles homelessness rates short-term.
Natural disasters displace 40,000 into homelessness annually avg.
Incarceration reentry failure: 67% rearrested, many homeless.
Medical debt bankrupts 530,000 yearly, leading to housing instability.
Child welfare involvement triples homelessness risk for families.
Gentrification displaces 10,000 low-income per major city yearly.
Wage stagnation: minimum wage covers 87% less rent than 1970.
COVID-19 economic fallout increased homelessness 11% by 2022.
Systemic racism: Black eviction rates 2x white in same areas.
Lack of childcare forces 25% single mothers into instability.
Gambling/sex trafficking victims 10-15% enter homelessness.
High school dropout correlates with 3x homelessness risk.
Foreclosures peaked at 2.8M in 2010, spiking homelessness.
Utility shutoffs displace 1M low-income yearly pre-assistance.
Migration from high-cost states adds 5% to urban homelessness.
Poor credit history blocks housing for 25% formerly homeless.
Pandemic school closures increased family homelessness 15%.
Climate change events like wildfires added 10,000 homeless in CA 2020.
Unemployment insurance gaps leave 40% without support.

Causes and Risk Factors Interpretation

The statistics paint a grimly efficient machine where we systematically dismantle every pillar of stability—from affordable housing and living wages to mental healthcare and disaster relief—and then express profound shock when people have no foundation left to stand on.

Demographics

Males comprised 59.8% of the homeless population in 2023 PIT counts.
Females made up 39.7% of homeless individuals counted in 2023.
Black or African American people were 32% of homeless despite 13% population share.
Hispanic/Latino individuals represented 31% of homeless in 2023 PIT.
White non-Hispanic homeless were 24% in 2023 counts.
5.2% of homeless were Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander in 2023.
American Indian/Alaska Native comprised 2.9% of 2023 homeless population.
Individuals aged 18-24 were 8.4% of homeless in 2023 PIT.
Seniors over 55 made up 22% of homeless population in 2023.
Unaccompanied youth (under 25) totaled 34,849 in 2023 PIT counts.
Veterans were 4.1% of total homeless (28,192) in 2023.
LGBTQ+ youth are 40% of homeless youth despite 7-10% of youth population.
Black women experience homelessness at 1 in 30 lifetime risk vs. 1 in 104 white women.
7% of homeless were parenting youth under 25 in 2023.
Gender non-conforming identified as 2.4% of homeless in 2023 surveys.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders overrepresented at 24x rate in Hawaii homelessness.
In families, 55% of adults were female in 2023 homeless households.
Children under 18 were 17.5% of sheltered homeless in 2023.
40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+ per Chapin Hall study.
Single males over 50% of unsheltered homeless in Western states.
Black individuals 37% of family homelessness in 2023.
12.1% of homeless had severe mental illness per 2023 data.
Foster care youth 20% more likely to experience homelessness.
Transgender individuals 2x rate of homelessness per general pop.
Rural homeless demographics show higher family rates at 40%.
Incarcerated releasees 10-14% homeless within first year.
Domestic violence survivors 38% of homeless women per studies.
6.7% of homeless were under 18 unaccompanied in 2023.
Hispanic homeless families 26% of total family homeless in 2023.
Substance use disorder among 27% of homeless per 2023 PIT.

Demographics Interpretation

These figures lay bare a stark, often cruel calculus of American life: your safety from homelessness depends heavily on factors you never chose—your race, your age, your gender identity, or whether the systems meant to protect you, from the military to foster care, ultimately failed you.

Health and Social Impacts

Homeless individuals die 16 years earlier than general population.
26% of homeless have severe mental illness vs. 6% general pop.
Substance use disorders affect 38% of homeless adults annually.
Homeless youth HIV rate 5x national average at 5-7%.
Emergency room visits 5x higher for homeless, costing $2.5B yearly.
40% of homeless veterans have PTSD diagnosis.
Life expectancy for homeless women 43 years vs. 78 general.
Frostbite and exposure cause 700 deaths yearly among homeless.
Homeless children miss 2x school days, graduation 87% lower.
25% of unsheltered have untreated chronic diseases.
Suicide rate 3.5x higher among homeless populations.
TB infection rates 5x higher in homeless shelters.
Homeless mothers 40% higher postpartum depression rates.
Incarceration rates 7x higher for homeless individuals.
Child homelessness linked to 2x asthma hospitalization risk.
70% of homeless report food insecurity chronically.
Dental care access leads to 4x emergency visits for pain.
Homeless veterans overdose deaths 7x civilian rate.
Street violence victimization 10x general population rate.
Chronic homelessness costs $35,578 per person yearly in services.
Homeless students proficiency scores 20% below housed peers.
Hepatitis C prevalence 20x higher at 20-30% in homeless.
50% of homeless women report sexual assault history.
Average hospital stay 4 days longer for homeless patients.
Obesity rates 50% higher due to food instability.
Homeless youth 40% higher depression diagnosis rates.
Firearm injury hospitalizations 3x rate among homeless.
30% of homeless have developmental disabilities.
Housing First reduces ER visits by 48% per participant.

Health and Social Impacts Interpretation

These statistics form a portrait of systemic failure, where the cost of indifference is measured not just in billions of wasted dollars but in decades of stolen lives and needless suffering.

Policy and Solutions

Permanent supportive housing serves 300,000 nationwide annually.
HUD's Continuum of Care program funded $3.2B in 2023 for homelessness.
Rapid re-housing assisted 85,000 households in 2022.
Section 8 vouchers cover 2.3M low-income, but waitlists 10M+.
Housing First model ends chronic homelessness for 85% participants.
Emergency rental assistance prevented 800,000 evictions in 2021.
VA's HUD-VASH provided 100,000+ vouchers to vets since 2008.
50 states expanded Medicaid, covering 40% homeless health needs.
Project Homekey created 15,000 units from hotels in CA by 2023.
National Low Income Housing Coalition pushes 7M new units needed.
Youth homelessness prevention funded $150M via Runaway Homeless Act.
Supportive services via CoCs reached 250,000 individuals in 2023.
Eviction moratoriums 2020-2022 averted 3M homelessness cases.
LIHTC produced 3.5M affordable units since 1986.
SAMHSA grants $450M yearly for homeless behavioral health.
Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative housed 400,000 since 2003.
Mobile clinics served 1M homeless health visits in 2022.
Universal basic income pilots reduced homelessness 30% in trials.
Tiny home villages housed 5,000 in 50+ programs nationwide.
Legal aid prevents 20% housing losses via representation.
Schoolhouse to homeless pipeline: McKinney-Vento aids 1.5M students.
Bond measures funded $20B affordable housing in 2022 elections.
PSH yields $1.44 savings per $1 invested in services.
Outreach teams contact 100,000 unsheltered yearly via CoCs.
Zoning reform in 20 states increased density housing supply 10%.
Family reunification programs stabilize 60% homeless families.

Policy and Solutions Interpretation

While the billions in funding and millions served paint a picture of a nation diligently treating the symptoms of homelessness, the waitlists for vouchers longer than the housing stock and the persistent need for millions more units reveal a patient stubbornly refusing to address the root cause of the illness.

Prevalence and Counts

On a single night in January 2023, 653,104 people experienced homelessness in the US, marking a 12.1% increase from 2022.
The 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count showed 421,402 sheltered individuals and 231,709 unsheltered.
California had the highest homeless population at 171,521 in 2023 PIT count, comprising 26% of the national total.
New York reported 91,271 homeless individuals in 2023, second highest nationally.
From 2019 to 2023, overall homelessness rose by 18.1%, driven by unsheltered increases.
Unsheltered homelessness increased 7.4% from 2022 to 2023, totaling 231,709 people.
Sheltered homelessness grew 19% from 2007 to 2023 levels.
In 2022, 582,462 people were counted homeless on a single night per HUD PIT.
Chronic homelessness affected 143,361 people in 2023, 22% of total homeless population.
Family homelessness represented 32% of the homeless population in 2023 PIT counts.
In 2023, 18 states saw double-digit increases in homelessness over 2022.
The PIT count methodology underestimates true homelessness by 20-30% due to invisibility.
In 2020, amid COVID-19, sheltered homelessness dropped 8% due to hotel conversions.
Florida's homeless count rose 23% from 2022 to 2023 to 25,941 individuals.
Washington's homeless population increased 25% from 2022 to 2023.
In 2023, 66% of homeless people were in the top 50 Continuum of Care areas.
Youth homelessness estimated at 4.2 million unaccompanied minors annually beyond PIT.
In 2022, 35,000 homeless individuals were reported in Hawaii per PIT.
Unsheltered rate highest in Western states at 64% of homeless population in 2023.
Total emergency shelter beds numbered 356,903 in 2023 CoC inventory.
From 2007-2023, total homelessness decreased 9.4% but rose recently.
In 2023, 28,192 homeless veterans were counted, down 7.5% from 2022.
DC had the highest per capita homelessness rate at 66.6 per 10,000 in 2023.
Oregon's homeless count hit 20,142 in 2023, up 14.4%.
In 2023 PIT, 152,585 individuals were in emergency shelters.
Transitional housing housed 124,317 homeless people in 2023.
Safe haven beds totaled 6,500 for 2023 inventory nationwide.
From 2020-2023, unsheltered homelessness surged 33% post-COVID.
In 2023, 360,000+ beds were available across shelter types.
Hawaii's per capita rate was 48.5 homeless per 10,000 residents in 2023.

Prevalence and Counts Interpretation

While the nation counts beds and celebrates marginal declines in veteran homelessness, the cold truth is that over 650,000 people on any given night are a stark testament to a system that treats housing as a privilege rather than a fundamental right.

Sources & References

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