According to the latest U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data, individual homeless adults – those who are not part of a family with children during an episode of homelessness – represent the largest population of people experiencing homelessness.
The individual homeless adult population includes veterans, unaccompanied youth, and people experiencing chronic homelessness – groups for which there are dedicated strategies and programs for ending their homelessness.
However, at least 58% of the individual homeless population fits within none of these categories, leaving them underserved and over-represented. As federal and local officials increase their response to homelessness, it is essential that they scale up solutions targeted to this overlooked population.
