Current Conditions

       Because of differences in definitions of homelessness, even people living in homeless shelters won't be considered homeless by the government. The below video talks about the hardships of homeless in Miami, where living on the streets may eventually become a crime.

Current Conditions of Homeless Youth

(about 15-25 years)

• Over 90% admit alcohol and tobacco use. 99% used marijuana, 94% used marijuana 6 months prior to the survey. 58% had used powder cocaine and 31% had used Heroin. (2)

• In regards to sexual behavior, 24% of homeless youth had four or more sexual partners in the 6 months prior to the survey. 13% had traded sex for money, 17% had traded sex for drugs.

• Unaccompanied homeless youth, often referred to as youth on their own, are the most difficult subpopulation of homelessness to quantify.

   

  Current Conditions Across U.S.            
  

   

  •    According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 640,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in the US.

  •    About 62,000 or 13% of all homeless persons are veterans
  •    The same report found that 26% of homeless adults suffered from some form of mental illness.
  •    Unaccompanied homeless youth, often referred to as youth on their own, are the most difficult subpopulation of homelessness to quantify.
  •    The national rate of homelessness was 20 homeless people per 10,000 people in the general population. The rate for Veterans was 29 homeless Veterans per 10,000 Veterans in the general population
  •    Approximately 22,350 adults and 5,805 children experienced homelessness in Arizona which represents a 12 percent year over year increase in the statewide homeless population
  •    One in every 230 Arizonans experienced homelessness during SFY(State Fiscal Year) 2012.
  •    According to data collected in 2010 from the US Census Bureau, around 209,000 people stated that they stayed in emergency and transitional shelters.
  •    The US Census Bureau goes on to define emergency and transitional shelters as places where people can experience homeless stay overnight including shelters, missions, and hotels/motels designed for homeless stay.
  •    These emergency and transitional shelters operate on a first come, first serve basis; those who seek shelter must leave in the morning and have no guarantee of having another bed available to them the following night.
  
  

Authors: Jessica Alvarez and Jennifer Abeyta