The Face of Homelessness
Facts you probably didn't know about U.S. homelessness
Homeless shelters in the United States are already unable to meet the needs of the nation's homeless in virtually every city across the country1 and now there has been a consistent increase in the number of homeless people in the United States. Sadly, the number of available shelters and rescue missions has not caught up with this escalating need.
The National Statistics on Homelessness in the United States are staggering:
The National Statistics on Homelessness in the United States are staggering:
Astonishing Statistics
- The number of homeless people in the United States is about 3.5 million; this number reflects how many individuals will experience homelessness this year. (1)
- 1.35 million, or 38 percent, of the homeless are children. (2)
- 23 percent of requests for emergency shelter cannot be met by homeless shelters in the United States, due to lack of resources. (3)
- At least 13 percent of homeless people are employed (4), and in recent years that number has been as high as 26 percent. (3) This indicates just how out of step wages can be in some areas versus the cost of living.
- More than 38 million people live below the poverty line, just one step away from homelessness. This number is 13.3 percent of the U.S. population. (4)
- The homeless are, on average:
51 percent single men
30 percent families with children
17 percent single women
2 percent unaccompanied youth
16 percent considered mentally ill (5)
Homeless Elders in the United States
Homeless elders in the United States are rarely discussed, probably because many do not live to the age we normally consider "elderly."
- The life expectancy of a homeless person is between 42 and 52 years of age, compared to the national average of 80. (6)
- The 2005 American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau showed that 9.9 percent of senior citizens (65 and older) live below the poverty line, just steps away from homelessness.
- In the state of Massachusetts, from 1999 to 2002, the number of people over 55 in shelters increased by 60 percent. (6)
- In 2005, 10.3 percent of the nation's sheltered homeless people were between 51 and 61 years old. (7)
What causes people to be homeless?
What causes people to be homeless is a complex matter and is specific to each case.
Mental illness, substance addiction, and chronic unemployment are often-cited causes, but a surprising number of the homeless have none of these problems.
Homelessness is an ever-urgent problem. Immediate financial and volunteer help is vital to the continuation of homeless shelters in the United States, including the Open Door Mission.
DONATE and VOLUNTEER TODAY to help Open Door Mission assist many of Colorado's homeless and hungry.
- For many Americans, working is no escape from poverty: 74 percent of the new jobs created between 1994 and 2005 pay below a livable wage. (1)
- In every U.S. state, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent. (1)
- Federal support for low-income housing fell 49 percent from 1980 to 2003. (8)
- Affordable housing is disappearing: Between 1973 and 1993, 2.2 million low-rent units disappeared from the market, either by abandonment or conversion into condos or expensive apartments, or because they became unaffordable due to cost increases. (4)
- Whereas in 1970 there was no shortage of housing for low-income renters, by 1995 there was a shortage of 4.4 million apartments. (9)
Homelessness is an ever-urgent problem. Immediate financial and volunteer help is vital to the continuation of homeless shelters in the United States, including the Open Door Mission.
DONATE and VOLUNTEER TODAY to help Open Door Mission assist many of Colorado's homeless and hungry.
Where are there homeless shelters in my area?
Homelessness is a national problem, but it's also in your backyard.
Fortunately, there are shelters on the Front Range, including homeless shelters in Denver, Colorado and its surrounding areas.
Homeless Shelters and Services in Boulder, Colorado
- 60 percent of the Denver area's homeless are children and families.*
- The problem is worsening; in 2007, one-third of all homeless people were newly homeless.*
Fortunately, there are shelters on the Front Range, including homeless shelters in Denver, Colorado and its surrounding areas.
Homeless Shelters and Services in Boulder, Colorado
- Emergency Family Services (303) 442-3042
- Boulder County Safe house (303) 444-2424
- Longmont (in Boulder County) (303) 772-0432
- Boulder Shelter (303) 442-4646
- Broadway Youth Shelter (303) 444-1607
- The Springs Rescue Mission - (719) 632-1822
- Access (303) 289-7078
- Brandon (303) 620-9190
- Catholic Worker (303) 296-6390
- Comitis (303) 343-9890
- Damen House (303) 433-4280
- Denver Rescue Mission (303) 294-0157
- Sacred Heart (303) 296-6686
- Samaritan (303) 294-0241
- Theodora (303) 620-9190
- Urban Peak (303) 777-9198
- Volunteers of America (303) 295-2165
- Alternatives to Violence (970) 669-5150
(transitional housing for female victims of domestic violence) - Interfaith Hospitality Network of Loveland/Berthoud (970) 663-1716
(transitional shelter with faith communities for families with children)
- Family Tree, Inc. (303) 422-2133
- JAC (303) 237-7704
- Women In Crisis (Family Tree) (303) 420-6752
Are there homeless shelters in my area (Fort Collins)?
Fort Collins and its surrounding towns are home to many quality Colorado homeless shelters and services.
Search here for:
Services/Homeless shelter/Fort Collins Colorado
Services/Homeless shelter/Greeley Colorado
Services/Homeless shelter/Longmont Colorado
Search the previous section for other Colorado homeless shelters and services.
Services and Homeless Shelters/Fort Collins, Colorado
(1) National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty, 2004
(2) National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty, 2007
(3) U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2006
(4) National Coalition for the Homeless Factsheet #1, June 2007*
(5) National Coalition for the Homeless Factsheet #2, August 2007*
(6) National Coalition for the Homeless Factsheet #15, August 2007*
(7) US dept of Housing and Urban Development
(8) National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2005
(9) Institute for Children and Poverty, 2001
*See the National Coalition for the Homeless website, www.nationalhomeless.org/publications.
Search here for:
Services/Homeless shelter/Fort Collins Colorado
Services/Homeless shelter/Greeley Colorado
Services/Homeless shelter/Longmont Colorado
Search the previous section for other Colorado homeless shelters and services.
Services and Homeless Shelters/Fort Collins, Colorado
- The Open Door, Fort Collins, (970) 224-4302
- Catholic Charities Northern, Fort Collins Mission (970) 484-5010
- Housing Services Center (970) 207-4472
(Daytime only, M-F Nov.-Apr.) - The Wing at Wingshadow (970) 419-3252
(Daytime street intervention, clothing, meals for teens) - Larimer Center for Mental Health (970) 494-4300
(transitional housing for individuals with mental illness) - Fort Collins Housing Authority (970) 416-2910
(Homecoming I and II and Linden Street Single Room Occupancy projects) - Veterans Administration Service Center (970) 221-5176
- Neighbor to Neighbor (Housing Counseling) (970) 484-7498
- Greeley Transitional House (970) 352-3215
- The Inn Between of Longmont, Inc. (303) 684-0810
- Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley (303) 772-4422
(24-hour crisis line for battered women and children)
(1) National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty, 2004
(2) National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty, 2007
(3) U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2006
(4) National Coalition for the Homeless Factsheet #1, June 2007*
(5) National Coalition for the Homeless Factsheet #2, August 2007*
(6) National Coalition for the Homeless Factsheet #15, August 2007*
(7) US dept of Housing and Urban Development
(8) National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2005
(9) Institute for Children and Poverty, 2001
*See the National Coalition for the Homeless website, www.nationalhomeless.org/publications.