Understanding Homelessness in DC
Homelessness is Not a Choice
Increased housing costs, lack of available housing, and financial insecurity all contribute to increased rates of homelessness. As housing costs continue to outpace local incomes, the door to prosperity has been closing on many who call DC their home.
Homelessness Can Happen to Anyone
Many of us know someone who is teetering on an edge so thin that any unforeseen event, expense, or challenge can find them without a home, sleeping on a friend’s couch or even living in their car. In fact, personal experiences with homelessness are widespread across DC – nearly 1 in 3 residents know someone who has experienced or is at risk of becoming homeless.
Who experiences homelessness?
People experiencing homelessness in DC include working families struggling to make ends meet, women escaping domestic abuse, LGBTQ youth who have been kicked out of the house by their parents, students stretching budgets, veterans, and seniors with no savings.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone to call on or give them a helping hand when they need it - a place to stay, a living wage, quality affordable childcare or health care.
The lack of affordable housing also disproportionately affects people of color. Although African Americans make up 47 percent of DC’s overall population, they represent 87 percent of people experiencing homelessness in DC.
If we want our city to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive, we have to prioritize housing as a fundamental investment that ensures the best outcome for everyone.
If we want to build a region that continues to be vibrant and thriving, we must intentionally create a diverse mix of housing to meet the needs of all residents.
Families
Over 500 families are experiencing homelessness in DC on any given night.
Women
Half of women experiencing homelessness in DC are homeless due to domestic violence.
Seniors
One-quarter of people experiencing homelessness are over 55 years old.
Veterans
Four percent of adults experiencing homelessness in DC are veterans.
People of color
93% of homeless adults are people of color versus 62% of DC residents on the whole.
People with DC roots
More than a third of the city’s longtime residents are being pushed out because it’s too expensive to live here.
A national study showed that 36% of students at colleges and universities do not get enough to eat and lack a secure place to live.
Students
28% of all youth experiencing homelessness in our city identify as LGBTQ and have often been kicked out of the house by their parents.
LGBTQ Youth
Nearly one-third of homeless adults in families and one-tenth of homeless single adults are employed.
Low-wage workers
The majority of these findings were provided by the city’s Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, conducted every year in January, to collect a snapshot of the scope and scale of homelessness in our city to provide policymakers and funders with critical information on the number and demographic characteristics of the families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
The research is clear
Housing people experiencing homelessness can save tax-payer money - as much as $20.000 per person in our system.
Housing Saves Resources
Housing Improves Outcomes for Youth
Supporting young people's housing stability improves their performance in school and decreases the likelihood that they will experience homelessness later in life.
With the stability of housing, individuals experiencing chronic homelessness become less frequent users of emergency services and their health outcomes improve.
Housing is Healthcare
How does the lack of affordable housing impact our community? In a survey of DC residents:
DC Residents Struggle to Find Affordable Housing:
61%
Think the availability of affordable housing is poor.
Personal Experiences with homelessness are widespread in DC:
Nearly 1 in 3
Personally know someone who has experienced homelessness or who is at risk of becoming homeless
Most DC Residents agree:
Ending homelessness is a priority
Homelessness can be eliminated
Housing is the solution to homelessness
They'd pay more taxes for affordable housing
Be Part of the Solution
You can be part of the solution by making a donation to advance innovative and effective solutions to end homelessness in DC.
Donations support our Grantmaking Fund, which invests in nonprofits working with individuals, youth and families experiencing homelessness to fill critical gaps and support innovative programs, emerging needs, and advocacy efforts.
Together, we can ensure that everyone has a place they can call home. Together, we can end homelessness. Make a donation to the Partnership to End Homelessness, today!
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