2. How many are homeless? Though it is difficult to generate accurate counts of homeless individuals, due in part to the transitional nature of the condition, here are some recent numbers of note: A recent study by USA Today estimated 1.6 million people unduplicated persons used transitional housing or emergency shelters. Of these people, approximately 1/3 are members of households with children, a nine percent increase since 2007. * Another approximation by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty states that approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year.* *http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets

3. Who is homeless? Sheltered homeless population: 42% African-American 38 % white 20%Hispanic 4 % Native American 2 % Asian Families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population In 2003, children under the age of 18 accounted for 39% of the homeless population; 42% of these children were under the age of five 40% of homeless men have served in the armed forces (compared to 34% of the general adult population) The average age of homeless parents is 27-29 years old Almost 2/3 have completed high school or equivalent Persons with severe mental illness represent about 26% of all sheltered homeless persons . Compared to the homeless of the past, today's homeless are: Younger Have more formal education Include more females Include more families (fastest growing population

4. Since 1980, homelessness re-emerged as a social problem caused by a lack of affordable housing, the breakup of families and domestic violence, deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, a decrease in the availability of sleeping-room-only (SRO) facilities and the gentrification of urban areas, cutbacks in government aid to the poor, a loss of manufacturing jobs, unemployment and underemployment where the cost of living exceeds the minimum wage rate, and problems with substance abuse. Chronic problems with drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and family dysfunction continue to contribute to the steady presence of the homeless in society. What’s causing homelessness? Two trends are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. The recent foreclosure crisis has resulted in an increase in homelessness in many cities. NCH – Foreclosure, Poverty, Eroding Work Opportunities, Decline in public assistance, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental illness

19. www.ibiblio.org/rcip/abouthomelessinfo.html Website offering a myriad of information resources for homeless person, homeless advocates and librarians . Other Online Initiatives