In U.S., Number Of Homeless Hits 754,000
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WASHINGTON — The nation has three-quarters of a million homeless people, filling emergency shelters through the year and spilling into special seasonal shelters in the coldest months, the government said yesterday.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated there were 754,000 homeless people in 2005, including those living in shelters, transitional housing, and on the street. That’s about 300,000 more people than available beds in shelters and transitional housing.
The report is the government’s latest attempt to count people who are notoriously difficult to track. The estimate is similar to one by an advocacy group in January.
The 2000 Census pegged the number of homeless people at 170,700, but it was widely considered an undercount. Among the findings for people in shelters and transitional housing:
• Nearly half were single men.
• Nearly a quarter were minors.
• Less than 2% were over the age of 65.
• About 59% were members of minority groups.
• About 45% were black.
• At least a quarter had a disability.
