Legislative Updates 
FAQs
How many people are homeless in the United States?
How many people are homeless in my community?
How do people become homeless?
How can I get assistance if I am homeless or about to become homeless?
What is HPRP?
Where can I find information on funding for new or existing programs to address homelessness?
How many people are homeless in the U.S.?
According to the most recent official estimate, approximately 675,000 people are homeless on any given night. In any given year, 2.5 to 3.5 million people will experience at least one night of homelessness. Though the numbers are difficult to track, the Alliance estimates that roughly one million more people will become homeless as a result of the current recession. Read more about the number of homeless persons in Homelessness Counts II: Changes in Homelessness from 2005 to 2007.
How many people are homeless in my community?
For the first time, Homelessness Counts: Changes in Homelessness from 2005 to 2007 showed changes in homelessness over time at the local and state level. Click here to get information on the number of people who experience homelessness near you. Some communities have also reported the results of their counts in January 2009 of the number of people experiencing homelessness. Check out our interactive map to find out if your community has already reported its 2009 results.
If you have a question about homelessness, please email us. We will get back to you with an answer.
Homelessness can be caused by a number of factors, including: The Alliance is a research- and policy-based organization, and as such is not a direct-service provider with the capacity to directly assist people in need of immediate assistance.
How do people become homeless?
How can I get help if I am homeless or about to be homeless?
An organization called Neighborworks also has a hotline, 888-995-HOPE and a website to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. For assistance specifically with default/foreclosure or rental needs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided a list of approved housing counseling agencies.
What is HPRP?
As part of the stimulus package, President Obama allocated $1.5 billion to create the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program – HPRP. Each community is allocated a specific portion of that money. You can find your state’s allocation of the HPRP funds on the HUD website.
Local communities submitted plans on how they plan to use that money to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in May 2009. Once the plan is approved, the money can be disbursed.
Where can I find information on funding for new or existing programs to address homelessness?
A comprehensive resource on relevant federal funding opportunities is available here and fundraising resources may be found at Idealist.org.
Another resource we recommend is Homelessness: The Philanthropic Role (PDF), a report that outlines current priorities and strategies in preventing and ending homelessness from a philanthropy perspective.
