HUD Report to Congress Shows 1 in 3 People Experiencing Homelessness in 2018 Were in a Family With Children
Report Incorporates New Data Sources
Rockville, Md. – Part 2 of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR) has been released. The report, which is based on data collected and analyzed by Abt Associates, utilizes a new dataset called the Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA), which captures more detailed community-level data on homelessness.
The new data source, and a new methodology used to produce the estimates, complicates our ability to measure how this year’s information fits among recent trends. However, the report does include several key findings. Among them:
- In 2018, an estimated 1,446,000 people in the U.S. experienced sheltered homelessness at some point during the year. Nearly two-thirds were in households with only adults.
- Thirty-five percent of people who experienced homelessness were in families with children. A small share (only one percent) were in child-only households.
- Black or African-American people were considerably overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness. While representing 13 percent of all U.S. heads of households and 22 percent of heads of households living in poverty, people identifying as black accounted for 43 percent of heads of sheltered households in 2018.
- One in every 10 sheltered adults was a veteran.
The LSA includes considerably more information on the patterns of homelessness support -system use by people currently experiencing homelessness. LSA also provides additional detail about households’ use of homeless services systems, data that includes first time homelessness, lengths of time homeless, exits to permanent housing, and returns to homelessness for each household type.
In future reports—including the soon-to-be released part 2 of the 2019 AHAR--annual estimates of people with chronic patterns of homelessness, people served by rapid rehousing projects, and patterns of homelessness in rural, urban, and suburban areas will be possible.
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that uses data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people’s lives. From combatting infectious disease and conducting rigorous program evaluations, to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting access to affordable housing—and more—we partner with clients and communities to tackle their most complex challenges. https://www.abtassociates.com
Contact:
Eric Tischler
eric_tischler@abtassoc.com
(301) 347-5492
