Legislative Updates 
FAQs
How can I get assistance if I am homeless or about to become homeless?
As a nonprofit organization focused on systemic reform of our nation's social safety nets, we do not have the capacity to directly aid or refer people who are in immediate need of assistance. However, we do know of some places that may be more helpful in this regard. Immediate sources of aid in your community can be found by consulting your local department of social services or your local branch of the Salvation Army or United Way. You may also find it helpful to consult the following directory of homeless service providers.
Where can I find information on funding for new or existing programs to address homelessness?
A comprehensive resource on relevant federal funding opportunities is available here and fundraising resources may be found at idealist. Another resource we recommend is Homelessness: The Philanthropic Role (PDF), a report that outlines current priorities and strategies in preventing and ending homelessness from a philanthropy perspective.
How is homelessness defined?
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a homeless person as someone who is:
- sleeping in an emergency shelter;
- sleeping in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, or abandoned or condemned buildings;
- spending a short time (30 consecutive days or less) in a hospital or other institution, but ordinarily sleeping in the types of places mentioned above;
- living in transitional housing but having come from streets or emergency shelters;
- being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit and having no subsequent residence identified and lacking the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing; or
- being discharged from an institution and having no subsequent residence identified and lacking the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing.
How many people are homeless in the U.S.?
Due to the circumstances of homelessness, it is very difficult to come up with a reliable number of people who experience homelessness. According to the Alliance's most recent estimate, approximately 744,000 people are homeless on any given night. Read more in Homelessness Counts. Information on the last annual estimate of 2.5 to 3.5 millions people experience homelessness per year, is available in Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve.
How do people become homeless?
Homelessness is caused by a number of factors, including:
- Poverty and the lack of affordable housing: current levels of housing costs, coupled with low-wage jobs and the recent economic downturn, push even the working poor out of their homes;
- Divorce, domestic violence and lack of family support;
- Chronic health problems;
- Mental illness;
- Drug and alcohol addiction; and
- Natural disasters.
How many people are homeless in my community?
There is currently no central place where information on the number of people who experience homelessness in each state, city or town is collected. Various states and local jurisdictions may nevertheless have estimates that are based on local counts and information collected from homeless service providers.
What is chronic homelessness?
HUD defines a chronically homeless person as "an unaccompanied individual with a disabling condition" who has been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.
Chronic homelessness may be caused by substance abuse, mental illness, or physical disabilities. Due to the nature of homelessness, it is very difficult to measure the number of chronic homeless across the country. Using the best available data and research, we estimate that between 10 to 20 percent of homeless single adults are chronically homeless; this translates into between 150,000 and 200,000 chronically homeless people.
If you have a question about homelessness, please email us. We will get back to you with an answer.
This video highlights how communities across the country are decreasing homelessness among families. Thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s yours to use for free. 
