Comprehensive national-level data on homelessness was last collected in January 2020, which was before COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. The below information does not reflect shifts in homelessness that may have occurred because of steps taken to address COVID or elevated unemployment rates tied to the pandemic or the recession.
In January 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in America. Most were individuals (70 percent), and the rest were people living in families with children. They lived in every state and territory, and they reflected the diversity of our country.
The current report draws from the nationwide Point-in-Time Count that occurred in January of 2020, just a few weeks before COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. Thus, the data does not reflect any of the changes brought about by the crisis. Instead, the current report reflects the State of Homelessness in America just before a once-in-a-lifetime event interrupted the status quo.
The nation has a system of temporary shelters that reaches many people in need. However, some still sleep in locations not ordinarily designated for that purpose (for example, sidewalks, subway trains, vehicles, or parks).
61% of People in Need are provided shelter by homeless programs
51% however, live in places not meant for human habitation. 66% of those, are without any shelter at all.
Unfortunately, COVID-19-related health concerns disrupted counts of unsheltered people in 2021. Data on this group will not be fully updated until late 2022 or early 2023.
