Homelessness

The Challenges Faced by People Experiencing Homelessness

People who are experiencing homelessness face a multitude of challenges, both emotional and physical, which further hinder their ability to regain stability. Homelessness has become a widespread human rights violation, even in regions with sufficient resources to address this issue. Unfortunately, it has largely avoided accountability in terms of human rights and has rarely been viewed as a violation that necessitates proactive measures from governments to prevent and eliminate it.

Stigmatization and Violation of Rights

Homelessness is surrounded by stigma and is often dealt with through criminalization, violence, and aggressive policies that infringe upon the rights of individuals affected by this issue. Those experiencing homelessness frequently encounter discrimination based on their housing status or lack of an official address. This discrimination greatly affects their political, economic, and social rights, including the right to participate in elections, the right to work, and the right to access certain social benefits.

By understanding the challenges faced by people who are homeless and the violations of their rights, we can work towards creating a more informed and compassionate society.

Fast Facts

from Security.org

653,104 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. in 2023. That number represents a record-high tally and a 12 percent increase over 2022.
111,620 children were without homes in America last year.
Homelessness increased in 41 states between 2022 and 2023, with New Hampshire, New Mexico, and New York having the highest percentage increases.
New York, Vermont, and Oregon had the highest per-capita rates of homelessness in 2023.
More than one-half of America’s homeless individuals reside in the nation’s 50 largest cities. New York City and Los Angeles alone contain one-quarter of the country’s unhoused people.
Every ethnic group endured an increase in homelessness last year. The Asian community experienced the most significant percentage increase (64 percent), while Hispanics/Latinos saw the most significant surge in raw numbers (an additional 39,106 people).

Learn more about homelessness

The History of Homelessness in the United States

When first used in the United States in the 1870s, the term “homelessness” was meant to describe itinerant “tramps” traversing the country in search of work. The solution to homelessness today is often perceived to be the creation or availability of affordable housing, but during the early 20th century, jobs (rather than housing) were viewed as the solution to the plight of transients wandering the country.

State of Homelessness: 2023 Edition

According to the January 2022 PIT Count, 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness across America. This amounts to roughly 18 out of every 10,000 people1. The vast majority (72 percent) were individual adults, but a notable share (28 percent) were people living in families with children.

10 Facts About Homelessness in the United States

Every night, hundreds of thousands of people in America don’t have a permanent, safe place to stay. Homelessness can look like living in a car, hopping from shelter to shelter, or staying temporarily with different people. While collecting accurate data is challenging, there are certain facts human rights advocates should know about homelessness in the United States.

The 25 U.S. Cities With Largest Homeless Populations

The report and its corresponding data inform funding decisions for Congress and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It estimates that on a single night in January of 2023, roughly 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness in the U.S.

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