Statistics
Gender
Studies show that homeless adults are mostly males. In 2005 a survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that men represented 43% and women represented 17% of the homeless population.
Age
According to the National Low Center of Homelessness and Poverty, in 2004 about 25% of the homeless population was between the age of 25 and 34. It is estimated that almost half of the children in shelter are under the age of five, and the same study found that only 6% were between the ages of 55 and 64.
Family
The number of homeless family has extremely increased over the past few years. In 2005 a survey that involved 25 American cities, showed that families with children subjugated about 33% of the homeless population; the rate is even higher in rural areas. Single mothers and children make up the majority of the homeless population. In addition, in 2005 a study from the National Low Center on homelessness showed that approximately 3.5 million people, 1.3 million of them children, are very likely to experience homelessness.
Ethnicity
In 2004, a survey carried out by the U.S. Conference found that the homeless population was 49% African-Americans, 35% Caucasian, 13% Hispanic, 2% Native- American, and 1% Asian.
Employment
Wages have put many residents out of housing across the U.S. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition in 2001, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent. In the some states, homeless rent what is called “the affordable housing” by the federal. A minimum-wage worker would have to work 89 hours each week to afford a two-bedroom apartment at 30% of his or her income.
Drug and Alcohol Addictions
Based on the homeless population survey during the1980s, men have a higher number of drug and alcohol addictions, especially single men. In the United States 26% of the homeless population have alcoholic and drug addictions.
Victims of domestic violence
Women who live in poverty are forced to choose between an abusive life and homelessness. In a 1998 survey, involving the majority of homeless mothers in the U.S, 22% of them had left their last place of residence because of domestic violence. In 2003, a survey of 100 homeless mothers in the country showed that 25% of the women have been physically abused in the previous year.
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Source:
"Who is Homeless?" National Coalition for the Homeless. 10 Jul 2007
<http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf>. |
