People are homeless when they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation, such as an abandoned building.
In the United States, there are over half a million people experiencing homelessness. The top four causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, relationship breakdown, substance abuse, and a previous experience of family homelessness.
Nearly three-quarters of people experiencing homelessness are adults aged 25 or older, and 18% are children under the age of 18. Other groups of people who are more likely to become homeless include people with physical and mental disabilities, people experiencing alcoholism and substance use, women, children, and youth, and seniors.
The four types of homelessness are transitional, episodic, chronic, and hidden.