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Homelessness
For more than two decades, communities have struggled with the complex problem of homelessness, a seemingly intractable issue in cities and small towns across America.
Homelessness
Overview provided by National Alliance to End Homelessness
For more than two decades, communities have struggled with the complex problem of homelessness, a seemingly intractable issue in cities and small towns across America. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), approximately 634,000 people in the United States were homeless on one night in early 2012. Most people were in shelters, but over 243,000 were unsheltered, living in parks, abandoned buildings with no heat or running water, the back seats of cars, or in other places not intended for human habitation. Of those who are homeless:
- More than 394,000 were homeless as individuals;
- More than 239,000 are people in families – children and their parents;
- More than 77,000 families were homeless;
- Approximately 100,000 are chronically homeless; and
- Approximately 63,000 are veterans of military service.
However, these point-in-time estimates only take a snapshot of the homelessness problem. The reality is that people move in and out of homelessness and that many more people experience homelessness over the course of the year. Annual estimates find that between 2.3 and 3.5 million people, nearly 1 to 2 percent of the total population, are homeless every year.
The current economic situation presents a new and daunting challenge. Persistent unemployment has historically been associated with rising homelessness, particularly for families with children. Reports from around the country indicate that in some places individual homelessness has decreased, but family homelessness has increased in the past twelve months. Even in the face of these challenges, however, progress over the last decade has created the tools needed to combat the growth of homelessness and transform the way communities address homelessness.
Articles and other content come from a variety of sources and are not intended to reflect the views of Foundation Source or to recommend any particular nonprofit organization.
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Studies & Data
The following research has been carefully selected to give foundations a deeper understanding of the topic of homelessness. Studies are selected from the leading experts on the cause, and data and fact sheets are added to supplement the reader’s ability to understand the background and context of this cause.
- A report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development about the findings from their point-in-time estimate of homelessness in January 2012. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “The 2012 Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness.” Volume I of the 2012 Annual Homeless Assessment Report.
- A report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Homeless Research Institute exploring the changes in homelessness in America between 2009 and 2011. National Alliance to End Homelessness and Homeless Research Institute. “State of Homelessness in America 2012.” National Alliance to End Homelessness.
- Data and statistics from the National Alliance to End Homelessness focused on the prevalence of homelessness in large metropolitan areas. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Appendix One: Homelessness in Large Metro Areas.
- A comprehensive study of research data from a variety of expert organizations used to provide historical context for the prevalence of homelessness in the U.S. Homelessness Resource Center. “Current Statistics on the Prevalence and Characteristics of People Experiencing Homelessness in the United States.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- A supplemental report to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress about the extent of homelessness among veterans in the United States. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Basic facts about homelessness in New York City from the Coalition for the Homeless. Coalition for the Homeless. Basic Facts About Homelessness: New York City.
- A report on the health of homeless adults in NYC by the New York City Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene and Homeless Services. NYC Department of Homeless Services. The Health of Homeless Adults in New York City.
- A data report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with information and conclusions from the National Survey of Homeless Veterans. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. National Survey of Homeless Veterans in 100,000 Homes Campaign Communities.
- The 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “The 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.”
- A research report on the state of homelessness in America in 2012. Homelessness Research Institute. “The State of Homelessness in America 2012.” National Alliance to End Homelessness.
- A report by the Homelessness Research Institute on the predicted increase of homelessness in the next couple years if no additional efforts are made to prevent it. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Increases in Homelessness on The Horizon.
- A report on the prevalence of homelessness in the Denver metropolitan area. Metro Denver Homeless Initiative. Homelessness in the Denver Metropolitan Area 2012 Homeless Point-In-Time Study
- A report about the right to adequate housing by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Right to Adequate Housing.
- An explanation by the Australian Human Rights Commission on how homelessness is a human rights issue. Australian Human Rights Commission. Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue.
- Statistics and data on global and national homelessness provided by Shelter 2.0. Shelter 2.0. Homeless Statistics.
- A report about the state of homelessness in developing countries which explores the definitions, characteristics, and causes of homelessness. Speak, Suzanne. “The Nature and Extent of Homelessness in Developing Countries.” Department for International Development.
- A case study of a workshop in South Africa about their research and discussions of low income housing and homelessness. Richter, Solina, Burns, Kovacs and Botha, ADH. “Research Planning for Global Poverty and Homelessness Policies and Services: A Case Study of a Joint Canadian-South African Initiative.” Online Journal of Social Sciences.
News & Blogs
Below are the latest and some of the more in-depth news reports and leading blogs about homelessness. In the future, private foundation clients will be able to comment and add to these stories, as well as engage with some of the authors and experts to discuss the news and funding trends around this particular cause.
- News on homelessness from the New York Times The New York Times. “Homelessness.”
- “About Homeless” Blog by the National Alliance to End Homelessness National Alliance to End Homelessness. About Homeless (blog).
- News from the National Coalition for the Homeless National Coalition for the Homeless. News.
- “Hope for the Homeless” blog by the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Hope for the Homeless (blog).
- “Startling Statistics about Veteran Homelessness: CAP” by Harry Bradford, Huffington Post Bradford, Harry. “Startling Statistics About Veteran Homelessness: CAP.” Huffington Post. March 8, 2012
- “President Obama, Michelle Obama Receive Highest Award in Homeless Veteran Advocacy” by Eleanor Goldbert, Huffington Post Goldberg, Eleanor. “President Obama, Michelle Obama Receive Highest Award in Homeless Veteran Advocacy.” Huffington Post. April 28, 2012.
- “The Homeless Guy” Blog by Kevin Barbieux Barbieux, Kevin. The Homeless Guy (blog).
- “President’s 2013 Budget Prioritizes Ending Homelessness” by Catherine An, National Alliance to End Homelessness An, Catherine. “President’s 2013 Budget Prioritizes Ending Homelessness.” National Alliance to End Homelessness.”
- “Picture the Homeless” Blog Picture The Homeless. Picture the Homeless – The Blog (blog).
- “Election-Weary Politicians can Work Together to Combat Homelessness” by Lance Dickie, The Seattle Times Dickie, Lance. “Election-Weary Politicians can Work Together to Combat Homelessness.” The Seattle Times. November 8, 2012.
- The Los Angeles Times news page on homelessness in America The Los Angeles Times. “Full Coverage: Homelessness in America.”
- “Coming Storm Increases Resolve to Help the Homeless” by Marjorie Cortez, Desert News Cortez, Marjorie. “Coming Storm Increases Resolve to Help the Homeless.” Deseret News. November 8, 2012.
- “Obama’s Homeless” by Paul Kengor, American Spectator Kengor, Paul. “Obama’s Homeless.” American Spectator. October 26, 2012.
- “Homeless Students Tops 1 Million, U.S. Says, Leaving Advocates Horrified” by Saki Knafo and Joy Resmovits, Huffington Post Knafo, Saki and Resmovits, Joy. “Homeless Students Tops 1 Million, U.S. Says, Leaving Advocates Horrified.” Huffington Post. June 28th, 2012.
- “HUD, VA Team Seeks to End Vet Homelessness by 2015” by The Partnership for Public Service, Government Executive The Partnership for Public Service. “HUD, VA Team Seeks to End Vet Homelessness by 2015.” Government Executive. October 26, 2012.
- “International Leaders Create Alliance to End Homelessness” by Nan Roman, Huffington Post Roman, Nan. “International Leaders Create Alliance to End Homelessness.” Huffington Post. March 5, 2011.
- “The Changing Face of Homelessness” by Gabrielle Pickard, China.org.cn Pickard, Gabrielle. “The Changing Face of Homelessness.” China.org.cn. April 28, 2010.
- “Child Poverty and Disparities in Ukraine” V.M. Novikov and others, United Nations Children’s Fund Novikov, V.M. and Others. “Child Poverty and Disparities in Ukraine.” United Nations Children’s Fund.
Networks
Below is a list of advocacy and funding networks working to address homelessness, as well as some of the leading funders that are achieving significant social impact in their giving efforts.
- Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness Advocacy Network To End Family Homelessness. Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries.
- United States Interagency Council on Homelessness United States Interagency Council On Homelessness.
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
- Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness.
- Homeless Children’s Education Fund Homeless Children’s Education Fund.
- Texas Homeless Network Texas Homeless Network.
- Homeless Children’s Network Homeless Children’s Network.
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Homeless Advocacy Project Homeless Advocacy Project
- Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
- The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.
- National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness.
- Homeless Action and PA Provider Network Homeless Action and PA Provider Network “HAPPN”. Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania.
- The Salvation Army The Salvation Army. Alegria.
- Street Child Africa Street Child Africa.
- The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness The Student PIRGs. National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness.
Resources
The following is a range of learning resources, tools for advocacy and action, inspiring talks and documentaries, and other ways to get involved in philanthropy and social change to address homelessness.
- Research, resources, and toolkits about homelessness from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Resources.
- Resources on affordable housing and homelessness from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Resources.
- A TED Talk by Becky Blanton about her experiences being homeless. Blanton, Becky. “Becky Blanton: The Year I was Homeless.” TED Talks.
- An interactive learning community from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s Homelessness Resource Center that consists of knowledge and practices to help prevent homelessness. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Homelessness Resource Center.
- A resource on homeless education by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Homeless Education. National Center for Homeless Education. The SERVE Center.
- The Homelessness Resource Exchange consists of a range of resources to assist people who are homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Homelessness Resource Exchange.
- Information on homeless veterans provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Resources.
- Resources and publications from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. Publications.
- Resources and publications from The National Center on Family Homelessness including research and information about homeless children, veterans, and available services. The National Center on Family Homelessness. Resources and Publications.
- A “60 Minutes” video featuring the story of a family forced to live in their car. Pelley, Scott. “Hard Times Generation: Families Living in Cars.” CBS News.
- An interactive map used to find homeless shelters and services by location. Homeless Shelter Directory.
- Interactive tools created by the National Alliance to End Homelessness about the state of homelessness in America. National Alliance to End Homelessness. State of Homelessness Interactive Tools.
- Information and archives of the Homeless Marathon to help raise awareness for the cause. Homelessness Marathon. Resources.
- A guide for policy makers about ending homelessness in Europe by the European Urban Knowledge Network. European Urban Knowledge Network. From Managing to Ending Homelessness in Europe: A Guide for Policy Makers.
- A book by Jack Layton about homelessness in Canada which discusses the possible causes and solutions to this rising problem. Layton, Jack. Homelessness: The Making and Unmaking of a Crisis. Toronto, New York 2000.
- The story of how the Barbara and Stephen Miller Foundation uses micro-grants to help families stay out of homelessness. Foundation Source. “Penny Wise: Using Micro-Grants to Fight American Homelessness.”