ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Facts About Homelessness

Many people seem to believe homelessness can be stereotyped as the panhandler, the beggar, or the bum.  In fact, homelessness does not seem to conform to any stereotype.  The homeless among us are our neighbors, our coworkers, our family, and our friends.  They are victims of circumstances that have resulted in a condition of homelessness.

Homelessness in Chattanooga

According to information gathered from local service providers, over 4,000 individuals experience homelessness each year in Chattanooga, with over 1,000 homeless children in public schools.  According to the 2022 Point-In-Time Count, over 3,000 individuals were homeless in our area, with over 1,000 being in Hamilton County. With continued annual increases in rent and housing prices, the challenge to find affordable housing remains a challenge.

Homelessness in the United States

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty states that each year approximately 3.5 million unique individuals experience homelessness in America.  1.35 million, or 39%, of them are children.  45% of those children are under the age of 5.  25% of them are between the ages of 25 and 34; and 6% are aged 55 to 64.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, the primary causes of homelessness are: poverty, eroding employment opportunity, lack of/decline in public assistance, and lack of affordable housing.  The NCH identifies other contributing factors as: lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness, and addiction disorders.

The US Conference of Mayors reported that families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the national homeless population.  Demographically, the national homeless population is estimated to be 42% African-American, 39% White, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native American, and 2% Asian.  67% of the homeless individuals (not in families) are male, while 65% of those in families are female.

Of homeless adults, 30% are severely mentally ill, 18 percent are physically disabled, 17 percent are employed, 16 percent are victims of domestic violence, 13 percent are veterans, and four percent are HIV Positive.

The US Conference of Mayors also determined that over half of all major cities cite domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness among women.