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Homeless Populations

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According to the National Alliance to End homelessness, more than 600,000 families a year become homeless, with families accounting for half of the overall homeless population. Homeless families generally have very low incomes - meaning they earn less than 30% of the area median income.

Chronically homeless individuals make up 10% of the total homeless population but utilize 50% of the dedicated resources. Studies have shown that chronically homeless individuals often cost the public many thousands of dollars per year in public funding for programs that are non-rehabilitative and in many cases ineffective.

According to a survey done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration well over half of the individual homeless population reports substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Conditions that are only exacerbated by not having a stable living environment.

This issues explorer introduces some of the different sub-populations within the homeless community.

Now that you've learned about this issue, continue to learn by going to the next issue:

Solutions to Homelesness ›