How Many Are Homeless?
Globally: It is estimated that one billion people in the world lack adequate housing, including 100 million who are completely homeless.
Nationally: It is estimated that, on any one night, 750,000 Americans will be without shelter and that approximately 3.0 million Americans will be homeless at some time during the year. Approximately 50% are in families -- 38% are children. 5.4 million families are at risk for homelessness due to a lack of affordable housing -- paying more than 50% of their income for rent.
Statewide:
- In Michigan, on any one night, there are approximately 24,713 sheltered homeless individuals, with an additional 41,338 unsheltered, a total of 66,051. These statistics include 34,622 adults and children in homeless families.
- In Michigan, adults and children in families account for 52% of the total homeless population. Youth 17 years or younger and not in families account for an estimated 5% of the total homeless in Michigan. This means that, in Michigan, there are at least 3,000 youth and children who are alone and homeless.
Locally:
- It is estimated that at any point in time there are 591 homeless individuals in the surrounding five-county area (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau). Local shelters serve approximately 700-800 per year; many are turned away due to lack of room. Some are doubled up with friends or family; some live on the streets and in parks. Some stay in local motels when off-season rates are available.
- Many of the homeless in this area are young people ages 14-17 -- too young to stay in local homeless shelters. Some of these young people are exiting the foster care system, some have been kicked out by their families and some are runaways. All are on their own and alone.
National homeless statistics source: National Alliance to End Homelessness Statewide homeless statistics extracted from 2001 Michigan Statewide Continuum of Care: Gaps Analsysis.
Phone: 231-922-4890
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