The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

1State Estimates
Homelessness in the United States
Changes Over Time
• The number of people experiencing
homelessness declined in 30 states and
the District of Columbia between 2016 and
2017. The largest absolute decreases were in
Georgia (2,735 fewer people), Massachusetts
(2,043 fewer people), and Florida (1,369 fewer
people). The largest percentage decreases were
in South Carolina (23%), Georgia (21%), and
Louisiana (17%).
• The number of people experiencing
homelessness increased in 20 states between
2016 and 2017. The largest absolute increases
were in California (16,136 people), New York
(3,151 people), and Oregon (715 people). The
largest percentage increases were in North
Dakota (18%), California (14%), New Mexico
(10%), and Vermont (10%).
• The number of people experiencing
homelessness declined in 36 states between
2007 and 2017. The largest decreases were
in Texas (16,240 fewer people or 41%), Florida
(15,879 people or 33%), and Georgia (9,465
people or 48%).
• The number of people experiencing
homelessness increased in 14 states, plus
the District of Columbia, between 2007 and
2017. The largest absolute increases were
in New York (26,902 more people or 43%),
Massachusetts (2,438 people or 16%), and the
District of Columbia (2,153 people or 41%).
Despite a national increase
between 2016 and 2017, the
number of people experiencing
homelessness declined in 30 states
and the District of Columbia during
that time period.
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