People remained homeless for an average of six months in the survey cities, a figure that increased from one year ago in all but four cities. Single men comprised 39 percent of the homeless population, families with children 39 percent, single women 12 percent, and unaccompanied youth two percent. Seventy-three percent of homeless families in the survey cities are headed by single parents. It is estimated that substance abusers account for 32 percent of the homeless population in the survey cities and persons considered mentally ill account for 23 percent. Twenty-two percent of the homeless in survey cities are employed. Ten percent are veterans.
All the cities in the survey expect that requests for both emergency food assistance and shelter assistance will increase again over the next year.
"In the past several years, the face of homelessness has changed here in the District of Columbia and in cities across America," said Washington Mayor Anthony A. Williams. "It's going to take a coordinated effort on many fronts to combat this problem. This effort must include additional federal resources for housing, job training, substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling. By shedding light on the problem as we are doing with this report, we can work together to help homeless individuals transition into fuller lives."
All the cities in the survey expect that requests for both emergency food assistance and shelter assistance will increase again over the next year.
"In the past several years, the face of homelessness has changed here in the District of Columbia and in cities across America," said Washington Mayor Anthony A. Williams. "It's going to take a coordinated effort on many fronts to combat this problem. This effort must include additional federal resources for housing, job training, substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling. By shedding light on the problem as we are doing with this report, we can work together to help homeless individuals transition into fuller lives."