This resource provides current statistics about individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
Individuals Experiencing Chronic/Long-Term Homelessness
On a given night in January 2010i:
- 109,812 individuals were chronically homeless
Of people utilizing emergency shelters between October 2009 and September 2010, 6.2% stayed for 6 months or longer.
Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity
Among long-term stayers (persons staying six months or more) in emergency shelters in 2008ii:
- 56.6% were Black/African-American
- 28.7% were Hispanic/Latino1
A study conducted in New York City and Philadelphia indicated that people experiencing chronic homelessness were predominately Black and maleiii:
- In New York City, 92.9% were Black and 82.3% were male
- In Philadelphia, 92.9% were Black and 71.1% were male
Among people enrolled in programs addressing chronic homelessness, about 50% are African Americaniv.
Data from the 1996 NSHAPC study showed that:
Mental Illness & Substance Use
Data from research conducted in the past five years indicates thatvii viii ix:
- About 30% of people who are chronically homeless have mental health conditions.
- About 50% have co-occurring substance use problems.
According to analyses of data from the 1996 NSHAPCx:
- Over 60% of people who are chronically homelessness have experienced lifetime mental health problems
- Over 80% have experienced lifetime alcohol and/or drug problems
View the HRC's additional factsheets:
- Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
- Individuals Experiencing Chronic/Long-Term Homelessness
- Individuals Experiencing Short-Term Homelessness
- Families Experiencing Homelessness
- Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- Elders/Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness
- Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
- Incarcerated People and Homelessness