A study finds that most homeless people are victims of a downward spiral that begins in their youth

December 8, 1999
Web posted at: 5:50 AM EST (1050 GMT)

The government-funded study also says most homeless people are successful in escaping their life on the streets when they get help from federal and other programs.

"Homeless people are locked out of America's prosperity, but we have the key that can let them in," said Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Andrew Cuomo in releasing the report.

"Assistance programs can replace the nightmare of homelessness with the American dream of a better future."

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Poverty in America

The top priority of those surveyed was to find a job.

In the 30 days before they were surveyed, single homeless people reported a mean income of $348 and homeless families reported a mean income of $475.

In addition, 40 percent of those surveyed said they went without food one or more days in the previous month because they couldn't afford food.

The report is based on interviews conducted in 1996, followed by two years of analysis. The Census Bureau collected the data and the report was prepared by the Urban Institute.

The government interviewed 4,207 people, most of them homeless or poor people who rely on homeless assistance programs. The study is also based on interviews with representatives of 11,909 programs delaing with homeless people.

Interviews were conducted in 76 metropolitan areas, small cities and rural areas.

Among the findings:

• 33 percent of homeless men surveyed are military veterans

• 25 percent reported childhood physical or sexual abuse, 33 percent ran away from home, 27 percent say they lived in foster care, group home or other institution as a child

• 68 percent of homeless program participants are male, 32 percent female; 43 percent are black, 38 percent are white, 15 percent are Hispanic, 3 percent Native American

• 46 percent said they had a chronic health problem such as arthritis or cancer; 39 percent reported a mental health problem, 38 percent reported an alcohol problem

• 38 percent have less than a high school diploma, compared with 18 percent of the overall population

HUD has invested nearly $5 billion in programs to help homeless people since President Clinton took office, more than three times as much as the $1.5 billion HUD spent on homeless assistance programs from 1987 to 1993.