Homelessness

An estimated 2-3 million Americans experience homelessness over the course of a given year. For most people, homelessness is a short, one-time event. But a relatively small and visible group experiences homelessness repeatedly or for long periods and places heavy demands on available assistance. This group, persons experiencing chronic homelessness, is most often made up of single, poor adults with prevalent disabilities. President Bush has made ending chronic homelessness within a decade a major goal of his administration.

While the number of elderly persons who are homeless is small, their presence is increasingly a part of the landscape of homelessness. It is anticipated that the number of older homeless will grow substantially as the baby boom generation ages.

The most succinct information on homelessness among the elderly is provided in a fact sheet of the National Coalition for the Homeless.

The following resources provide policy information on homelessness and links to services and programs designed to assist the homeless.

Federal Links

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Homeless Resources
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Homeless Assistance
• Homelessness Among Veterans – Veterans Administration
• National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Health
• Health Care for the Homeless Information Resource Center
• National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Information

Other Resources

• National Coalition for the Homeless
• National Alliance to End Homelessness
• National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty