The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

7. National opioid crisis.
Following national trends due to the opioid epidemic, Philadelphia experienced a
drastic (78%) increase in unintentional drug overdose deaths. Individuals
experiencing homelessness are at an increased risk for substance use disorders
and drug overdose, a risk amplified in Philadelphia given the low cost and high
potency of heroin sold on our streets.
In Philadelphia, the number of deaths related to unintentional drug overdose is
2.5 times greater than the number of homicides.
According to the City-sponsored Homeless Death Review Team, 87% of
homeless decedents from 2011-2015 had a known history of substance use or
abuse. For 51% of the decedents in the same time frame, drug or alcohol
intoxication was a primary or contributing cause of death and 50% of the
decedents were known to use opioids.
The rate of deaths due to unintentional drug overdose among homeless persons
doubled between 2011 and
2015.
8. Domestic Violence
On an average night, 250
individuals who are
homeless in Philadelphia
self-report as victims of
domestic violence.
In FY15, the Philadelphia
Domestic Violence Hotline
received 14,661 calls for
assistance with domestic
violence issues.
Solutions to Homelessness
At Project HOME, we believe in a
holistic approach to ending and
preventing homelessness and
poverty, including:
1. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Permanent supportive housing has been shown by multiple national studies to be
a cost-effective solution to ending homelessness. Saving Lives, Saving Money,
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