Data & Reporting

In order to prevent homelessness, we must understand it as it exists in our community. The information in this section details various aspects of homelessness in D.C., programs within D.C.’s Continuum of Care and the progress we are making towards ending homelessness.

Fast Facts on Homelessness in D.C.

There are over 6,000 homeless persons in the District of Columbia

On January 24, 2008, the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness conducted the annual Point-in-Time enumeration. Point-in-Time presents a yearly “snapshot” of how many people are homeless and where they are in Continuum on a single, specific day.

There were 6,044 persons counted in the District on the date of Point-in-Time. This was an increase of 5 percent from the count conducted in 2007 though it was a lower count than enumerations done in previous years.



The homeless are counted in two categories: the “literally homeless” – those without shelter, and those living in emergency shelter or transitional housing – and the “formerly homeless” – those living in permanent supportive housing. The formerly homeless remain at risk of becoming homeless again without the support provided by these dedicated housing resources.

Permanent housing is seen as the solution to homelessness and the District’s permanent housing inventory plays an important role in moving the city’s homeless toward greater stability. On the Point-in-Time date, 3,006 formerly homeless single persons and persons in families were counted in permanent supportive housing.

Homeless Single Persons

There are 4,208 literally homeless single persons in Washington, D.C.

Most homeless single persons in the District are considered “chronically homeless” due to repeated or lengthy episodes of homelessness or deep disabilities. Persons with these disabilities, such as mental health issues or chronic substance abuse, are difficult to stabilize in shelter-based living arrangements. Permanent supportive housing resources are key to ending their homelessness.

Nearly 70 percent of single homeless persons reside in the city’s emergency shelters. Single homeless persons in the District are predominantly male and are unemployed. Twenty percent of single persons served in the District’s emergency shelters lived outside of D.C. before becoming homeless and one in four has lived in an institutional setting such as foster care, jail or prison, a hospital, or substance abuse or psychiatric treatment facilities at some point in the past.

Client Data, Single Persons in Emergency Shelter

Homeless Families

There are 587 literally homeless families in D.C. which include 687 adults and 1,149 children. Homeless families are most frequently headed by a sole female adult. Prior to becoming homeless most families lived in Ward 7 or 8.

Poverty and the lack of affordable housing, as opposed to the prevalence of disabilities, drive family homelessness in the District. D.C. has the highest poverty rate in the United States; and between 2000 and 2008, fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment has increased by 58 percent. Eviction from rental property, house or from a friend or family members home is the primary reason for a District family will seek emergency shelter resources.

Permanent housing resources for families struggling with disabilities are needed but affordable housing and assistance for the precariously housed can help prevent families from becoming homeless. The District’s Project H.O.P.E. (Housing Opportunities and Prevention Efforts) serves roughly 100 families a month in order to help them avoid entering the shelter system.

Client Data, Adult Persons in Family Emergency Shelters

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