KFF September 13, 2024
Homelessness in the U.S. is a serious problem that touches the lives of millions of individuals and families across urban, suburban, and rural areas. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 650,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023, a 12% increase from 2022. The links between homelessness and health are complex. Health problems can be a causal factor in homelessness, and being unhoused may worsen health problems or cause new ones, as well as making it difficult for individuals to access health care services and heal or recover from illness.
This report, based on analysis of KFF’s 2023 Racism, Discrimination, and Health Survey, examines the socioeconomic circumstances and health needs...