In 2020, the count identified approximately 580,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night. Causes of Homelessness: Homelessness can result from a variety of factors, including economic hardship, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental health issues, substance abuse, family breakdown, and domestic violence.
Homelessness and Children: Homelessness affects individuals of all ages, including a significant number of children and families. UNICEF estimates that approximately 100 million children worldwide are homeless.
Chronic homelessness refers to individuals who experience long-term or repeated episodes of homelessness. In some cases, individuals facing chronic homelessness may have complex needs, such as mental health or substance abuse issues. Chronic homelessness represents a smaller proportion of the overall homeless population but can be more challenging to address. In many countries, including the United States, a notable proportion of the homeless population consists of military veterans. Factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health issues, and difficulty transitioning to civilian life can contribute to homelessness among veterans.