State of Homelessness in America 2011

State of Homelessness in America 2011

On January 12, 2011, the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) released The State of Homelessness in America, which investigates the changes in homelessness across the country.

The first report of its kind, The State of Homelessness in America reviews national and state by state homelessness counts and examines economic indicators and demographic drivers of homelessness, including severe housing cost burden, unemployment, youth aging out of foster care, release from incarceration, and four other factors.

Overall the new national data shows pretty dramatic changes in the homeless populations of Washington State between 2008 and 2009:

• The homeless population statewide increased 3.77 percent compared to 3.11 percent nationally.
• Family homelessness increased by 9.17 percent (from 9,798 homeless persons in families to 10,696), compared to 2.64 percent nationally.
• The doubled-up population increased by 14.68 percent, compared to 11.76 percent nationally. The odds of a doubled-up person experiencing homelessness are 1 in 10.
• The unsheltered homeless population in Washington State increased .72 percent.

Washington has experienced an increase in all of the five risk areas that cause people to lose their homes: severe housing burden, unemployment, income for the working poor, lack of health insurance, foreclosure.

• Housing cost burden on poor households is up 5.3 percent.
• Unemployment is up 68.67 percent (above national average of 60 percent).
• Average income of working poor is down 2 percent.
• Housing foreclosures are up 35 percent (above national average of 21 percent).
• Percentage of uninsured persons is up 4 percent (above national average)
• Doubled-up population is up 14.68 percent (above national average of 11.76 percent).

Go to NAEH's web site to learn more and download the report

Related articles and press:

Ending homelessness is the right goal
Nan Roman, The Hill – Congress Blog, 01.13.11

Unemployment, Housing Prices Forced More Families To 'Double Up' In 2009
Laura Bassett, The Huffington Post, 01.13.11

New Data: Bad News and Good News
Alice Shobe, Building Changes Buzz Blog, 01.12.11

Washington's serious economic risk factors drive homelessness
Judy Lightfoot, Crosscut, 01.12.11

Report on homelessness shows increase among families during recession
Henri E. Cauvin, The Washington Post, 01.12.11