GET THE FACTS ON HOMELESSNESS

Since 2016, overall homelessness has increased every year.

Experiencing Homelessness: describes a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Chronic Homelessness: People experiencing chronic homelessness are entrenched in the shelter system, which acts as long-term housing for this population rather than an emergency option. They are likely to be older, underemployed, and often have a disability.
Unsheltered Homelessness: Refers to people whose primary nighttime location is a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for people (for example, the streets, vehicles, or parks).
Imminent Risk of Homelessness: Individuals and families who are on the very brink of losing their housing. These are people with an annual income below 30% of the median income for their area, and they lack the resources or support systems necessary to secure other permanent housing.

Lack of affordable housing.
Wages are not keeping up with rent.
- Approximately 50% of those experiencing homelessness are employed.
Domestic and sexual violence are leading contributors to homelessness for women and children.
Inadequate access to physical and behavior health care.
Long standing historical and structural racial inequality.
Life disruptions (unexpected illnesses, medical expenses, unemployment, divorce, loss of transportation, etc.).
Factors around identity and circumstance can put one at risk for homelessness:
- LGBTQIA+
- Youth aging out of foster care
- Survivors of domestic violence and gender-based violence
- People exiting from the criminal legal system

US National Statistics on Homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness: State of Homelessness 2024 Edition)

On a single night in January 2023, an estimated 653,104 people experienced homelessness, a 12% increase over last year
Of those experiencing homelessness:
- 71% are Individuals
- 51% are Unsheltered
- 28% are Families with Children
- 20% are aged 55+
Homelessness among Veterans, Women, and the Chronically Homeless is on the rise

According to the HUD (The Department of Housing and Urban Development) 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report:

Florida had the 3rd highest statewide increase in homelessness - 18%
Factors for the increase are a result of rapid increase of housing costs (and increased rate of evictions), expiration of pandemic-related funding, lingering impacts of Hurricanes, and influx of new arrivals moving to the state.