US & GLOBAL HOMELESS DATA
Homelessness at a Glance
This page curates key metrics and visuals to help visitors understand homelessness trends in the United States and worldwide. All figures originate from HUD Point‑in‑Time counts, AHAR reports, and UN‑Habitat estimates.
U.S. Total Homeless Population (2007‑2023)
US Homeless
Key Sub‑Groups in the U.S.
- Individuals: 72%
- People in families with children: 28%
- Unaccompanied youth (under 25): 6%
- Veterans: 6%
- Chronically homeless individuals: 30%
Demographic Breakdown (Most Recent HUD Data)
| Race/ Ethnicity |
Homeless Population (%) | U.S. Population (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 37% | 13% |
| White | 44% | 60% |
| Hispanic or Latinx | 28% | 19% |
| Native American | 3% | 1% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2% | 6% |
Top Underlying Causes
| Underlying Cause | Percentage of Reports |
|---|---|
| Lack of affordable housing | 82% |
| Poverty/low wages | 70% |
| Mental health disorders | 48% |
| Substance use disorders | 38% |
| Domestic violence | 30% |
| Systemic racism | 25% |
Global Homelessness (in Millions)
| Category | Estimated Population |
|---|---|
| Absolute Homelessness (no shelter) | ~300 million people |
| Living in Slums or Informal Settlements | Over 1.12 billion people |
| Lacking Access to Adequate Housing | 2.8 billion people |
Source: UN-Habitat, 2025
UN‑Habitat defines homelessness broadly; figures are rough estimates and vary by methodology.
Last updated: May 26, 2025 • Sources: HUD AHAR (2007‑2023), UN‑Habitat (Global estimates), NAEH.