University of Maryland
Sociology 498: Homelessness 

HUD report:
Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve

Table 2.5
Demographic and Other Characteristics of Homeless Clients, by Street Location and Program Use in Past Week
  Program Use
  All Homeless Clients Slept on Streets Stayed in a Shelter Used a Soup Kitchen Used Other Program
  (N=2938) (N=768) (N=2352) (N=1727) (N=909)
Sex          
Male 68(%) 86(%) 65(%) 85(%) 67(%)
Female 32 14 35 15 33
Race/Ethnicity
White non-Hispanic 41 40 41 38 35
Black non-Hispanic 40 38 39 39 45
Hispanic 11 13 11 13 11
Native American 8 7 8 10 8
Pattern of Homelessness
First time homeless          
6 months or less 18 10 22 14 11
more than 6 months 31 35 30 31 38
Not first time homeless          
current spell 6 months or less 21 23 21 25 18
current spell more than 6 months 30 32 28 31 33
Other Characteristics          
Youth (17-24) 12 9 13 8 11
Living with own child < 18 15 3 16 6 14
No paid work last 30 days 56 61 53 56 65
Any ADM problem, past 30 days 66 75 63 66 74
Alcohol use problem 38 45 35 40 43
Drug use problem 26 35 23 31 32
Mental health problem 39 44 38 37 46
HIV/AIDS 3 2 3 2 5
Veteran 23 27 20 22 23
Source: Urban Institute analysis of weighted 1996 NSHAPC client data.
Note: Street locations include any place not meant for habitation (e.g., transportation sites, places of business, vehicles, abandoned buildings, anywhere outside, etc.). Shelters include emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and vouchers for temporary shelter. Other programs include permanent housing programs for formerly homeless people, food pantries, outreach programs, drop-in centers, and other programs.

 
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Last updated February 6, 2006
comments to: Reeve Vanneman. reeve@cwmills.umd.edu