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Houston Homelessness by the Numbers

Understanding the scale, demographics, and trends of homelessness in the Greater Houston area

Introduction

Understanding the scope and nature of homelessness in Houston requires looking at the data. While statistics can never tell the full human story, they provide important context for understanding trends, identifying disparities, and measuring progress. This article presents key data on homelessness in the Greater Houston area, including overall numbers, demographic information, geographic distribution, and changes over time.

It's important to note that counting people experiencing homelessness is inherently challenging, and different methodologies have different limitations. This article primarily draws on data from the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count conducted by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, as well as data from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other local sources.

Current Homelessness Numbers in Houston

The most recent comprehensive data on homelessness in the Houston area comes from the 2025 Point-in-Time Count, conducted in January 2025. This count provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single night.

Overall Homelessness

According to the 2025 Point-in-Time Count:

  • Total people experiencing homelessness in Houston, Harris County, and Fort Bend County: approximately 3,750 people
  • This represents a slight increase of about 3% from the 2024 count
  • Of these individuals, approximately 2,100 were in emergency shelters or transitional housing
  • Approximately 1,650 people were unsheltered (living on streets, in vehicles, or other places not meant for human habitation)

Chronic Homelessness

Chronic homelessness refers to people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year, or repeatedly, while struggling with a disabling condition:

  • Approximately 820 people were identified as chronically homeless in the 2025 count
  • This represents about 22% of the total homeless population
  • Of those experiencing chronic homelessness, about 65% were unsheltered

Family Homelessness

Families with children represent a significant portion of the homeless population:

  • Approximately 740 people in families with children were experiencing homelessness
  • This includes about 450 children under the age of 18
  • The vast majority (over 90%) of homeless families were sheltered rather than unsheltered
  • Family homelessness decreased by approximately 5% from 2024 to 2025

Beyond the Point-in-Time Count

While the PIT Count provides valuable data, it represents only a snapshot on a single night. Throughout 2024, the homeless service system in Houston/Harris County served over 15,000 people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. This annual figure gives a more complete picture of the number of people who experience homelessness at some point during the year.

Demographic Characteristics

Understanding who experiences homelessness in Houston helps identify disparities and tailor effective responses.

Race and Ethnicity

Homelessness in Houston disproportionately affects Black/African American residents:

  • Black/African American: 56% of the homeless population, despite representing only about 20% of the general population in Harris County
  • White: 32% of the homeless population
  • Hispanic/Latino (of any race): 15% of the homeless population
  • Other races (including multiracial): 12% of the homeless population

Gender

The gender breakdown of Houston's homeless population:

  • Male: 68% of the homeless population
  • Female: 31% of the homeless population
  • Transgender or non-binary: 1% of the homeless population

Age

Homelessness affects people across the age spectrum:

  • Children under 18: 12% of the homeless population
  • Young adults (18-24): 7% of the homeless population
  • Adults (25-54): 58% of the homeless population
  • Older adults (55+): 23% of the homeless population

Special Populations

Several subpopulations face unique challenges:

  • Veterans: Approximately 420 veterans were experiencing homelessness (11% of the total)
  • People with serious mental illness: 28% of adults experiencing homelessness
  • People with substance use disorders: 24% of adults experiencing homelessness
  • Survivors of domestic violence: 18% of adults experiencing homelessness
  • Unaccompanied youth (under 25): Approximately 260 young people
"The racial disparities in Houston's homelessness data reflect broader systemic inequities in housing, employment, healthcare, and criminal justice. Addressing homelessness effectively requires acknowledging and confronting these underlying disparities."
— Mike Nichols, President & CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County

Geographic Distribution

Homelessness is not evenly distributed across the Houston metropolitan area.

Concentration by Area

The 2025 Point-in-Time Count found:

  • City of Houston: 78% of the region's homeless population
  • Unincorporated Harris County: 16% of the region's homeless population
  • Fort Bend County: 4% of the region's homeless population
  • Other incorporated cities in Harris County: 2% of the region's homeless population

Unsheltered Homelessness Hotspots

Unsheltered homelessness tends to concentrate in specific areas:

  • Downtown Houston: Approximately 18% of unsheltered individuals
  • Midtown: Approximately 12% of unsheltered individuals
  • Near Northside: Approximately 9% of unsheltered individuals
  • East Downtown (EaDo): Approximately 8% of unsheltered individuals
  • South Central Houston: Approximately 7% of unsheltered individuals
  • Other areas: 46% of unsheltered individuals, distributed across the region

Shelter Distribution

Emergency shelters and transitional housing are concentrated in certain areas:

  • Downtown/Midtown corridor: Houses approximately 65% of shelter beds
  • Near Northside: Houses approximately 15% of shelter beds
  • Southwest Houston: Houses approximately 10% of shelter beds
  • Other areas: Houses approximately 10% of shelter beds

Trends Over Time

Houston has seen significant changes in homelessness over the past decade.

Long-Term Reduction

Houston has achieved substantial reductions in homelessness:

  • From 2011 to 2025, overall homelessness decreased by approximately 63%
  • In 2011, the Point-in-Time Count identified over 10,000 people experiencing homelessness
  • The most dramatic reductions occurred between 2011 and 2019, when homelessness decreased by 54%
  • Veteran homelessness decreased by over 85% from 2011 to 2025
  • Chronic homelessness decreased by approximately 80% during this period

Recent Fluctuations

More recent years have shown some fluctuations:

  • 2020-2021: Homelessness decreased by about 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to emergency housing programs and eviction moratoriums
  • 2022-2023: Homelessness increased by approximately 15% as pandemic protections expired
  • 2023-2024: Homelessness decreased slightly by about 2%
  • 2024-2025: Homelessness increased by about 3%

Sheltered vs. Unsheltered Trends

The balance between sheltered and unsheltered homelessness has shifted:

  • In 2011, approximately 36% of people experiencing homelessness were unsheltered
  • By 2019, this had decreased to about 41% unsheltered
  • During the pandemic (2020-2021), the unsheltered percentage dropped to 33% due to expanded shelter options
  • In 2025, approximately 44% of people experiencing homelessness were unsheltered

Houston's Success Story

Houston's 63% reduction in homelessness since 2011 represents one of the most significant decreases of any major U.S. city. This success has been attributed to the implementation of a coordinated, Housing First approach through The Way Home initiative, substantial federal and local investment, and strong collaboration among service providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Causes and Pathways

Data from Houston's homeless service system provides insights into the causes of homelessness locally.

Primary Causes Reported

When entering the homeless service system, people report various causes:

  • Economic reasons (job loss, insufficient income): 32%
  • Housing-related reasons (eviction, unaffordable housing): 28%
  • Family problems (domestic violence, family breakdown): 15%
  • Health issues (mental health, substance use, medical conditions): 14%
  • Criminal justice involvement: 5%
  • Natural disasters and emergencies: 3%
  • Other reasons: 3%

Housing Instability Factors

Data on housing history before homelessness:

  • Approximately 40% were living with friends or family before becoming homeless ("doubled-up")
  • About 25% were renting their own apartment or house
  • Approximately 15% were in institutional settings (hospitals, jails, treatment facilities)
  • About 12% were in another homeless situation (different shelter or street location)
  • Approximately 8% came from other living situations

Duration of Homelessness

Length of time people experience homelessness varies significantly:

  • Less than 1 month: 18% of people experiencing homelessness
  • 1-3 months: 24% of people experiencing homelessness
  • 3-6 months: 16% of people experiencing homelessness
  • 6-12 months: 20% of people experiencing homelessness
  • More than 1 year: 22% of people experiencing homelessness

System Performance and Outcomes

Data on how Houston's homeless service system is performing:

Housing Placements

Success in helping people exit homelessness to housing:

  • In 2024, approximately 5,800 people exited homelessness to permanent housing through Houston's homeless service system
  • This represents a housing placement rate of about 38% of all people served
  • Rapid re-housing programs successfully housed approximately 2,100 people
  • Permanent supportive housing programs housed approximately 1,400 people
  • Other permanent housing destinations accounted for approximately 2,300 exits

Returns to Homelessness

Data on housing stability after exiting homelessness:

  • Of those who exited to permanent housing in 2023, approximately 12% returned to homelessness within 12 months
  • The return rate varies by program type: 18% for rapid re-housing, 5% for permanent supportive housing
  • Returns to homelessness are higher among people with serious mental illness (22%) and substance use disorders (25%)
  • The overall return rate has decreased from 20% in 2015 to 12% in 2024

Length of Time Homeless

How long people remain homeless before finding housing:

  • The average length of time people experience homelessness before housing placement is approximately 117 days
  • This average has increased from 98 days in 2019
  • For families with children, the average is lower at 86 days
  • For chronically homeless individuals, the average is much higher at 285 days

Funding for Homeless Services

Understanding the resources dedicated to addressing homelessness in Houston:

Federal Funding

Major federal funding sources:

  • HUD Continuum of Care Program: Approximately $45 million annually
  • Emergency Solutions Grant: Approximately $5 million annually
  • HOME Investment Partnerships Program (homeless set-aside): Approximately $3 million annually
  • Community Development Block Grant (homeless services): Approximately $2 million annually
  • SAMHSA and other federal grants: Approximately $4 million annually

State and Local Funding

Resources from state and local government:

  • City of Houston dedicated funding: Approximately $18 million annually
  • Harris County dedicated funding: Approximately $12 million annually
  • Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Approximately $2 million annually
  • Other local government sources: Approximately $1 million annually

Private Funding

Non-governmental resources:

  • United Way of Greater Houston: Approximately $5 million annually
  • Houston Endowment and other foundations: Approximately $8 million annually
  • Corporate donations: Approximately $4 million annually
  • Individual donations to service providers: Approximately $12 million annually
  • Faith-based contributions: Approximately $6 million annually

Comparison to Other Major Cities

How Houston's homelessness situation compares to other large U.S. cities:

Overall Homelessness Rate

Houston has a relatively low rate of homelessness compared to many peer cities:

  • Houston: Approximately 16 people experiencing homelessness per 10,000 residents
  • National average for major cities: Approximately 23 people per 10,000 residents
  • Los Angeles: Approximately 42 people per 10,000 residents
  • New York City: Approximately 47 people per 10,000 residents
  • Seattle: Approximately 57 people per 10,000 residents
  • San Francisco: Approximately 82 people per 10,000 residents

Unsheltered Percentage

The proportion of people living unsheltered varies widely:

  • Houston: 44% unsheltered
  • National average for major cities: 51% unsheltered
  • Los Angeles: 75% unsheltered
  • New York City: 5% unsheltered (due to right-to-shelter laws)
  • Seattle: 53% unsheltered
  • San Francisco: 63% unsheltered

Progress in Reducing Homelessness

Houston stands out for its success in reducing homelessness:

  • Houston: 63% reduction since 2011
  • National average for major cities: 10% reduction since 2011
  • Los Angeles: 32% increase since 2011
  • New York City: 58% increase since 2011
  • Seattle: 42% increase since 2011
  • San Francisco: 18% increase since 2011

Conclusion

The data on homelessness in Houston tells a complex story. On one hand, the city has achieved remarkable success in reducing homelessness over the past decade, with a 63% decrease since 2011. This progress stands in stark contrast to many other major U.S. cities that have seen increases during the same period. Houston's coordinated approach through The Way Home initiative has been recognized nationally as a model for effective homelessness response.

At the same time, significant challenges remain. Recent years have shown fluctuations in homelessness numbers, with a slight increase in the most recent count. Racial disparities are pronounced, with Black/African American residents vastly overrepresented in the homeless population. The unsheltered percentage has been trending upward, and certain subpopulations—particularly those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders—continue to face barriers to stable housing.

Understanding these numbers provides an essential foundation for addressing homelessness in Houston. By tracking trends, identifying disparities, and measuring outcomes, the community can target resources effectively, adapt strategies as needed, and continue working toward the goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

References & Further Reading

  1. Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County. "Annual Point-in-Time Count Reports." The Way Home, 2025. https://www.homelesshouston.org/pit-count
  2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress." HUD Exchange, 2024. https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/ahar/
  3. Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County. "State of Homelessness in Houston/Harris County." The Way Home, 2024. https://www.homelesshouston.org/data
  4. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs: Homeless Populations and Subpopulations." HUD Exchange, 2024. https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/
  5. Nichols, Mike. "Houston's Approach to Reducing Homelessness." Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, 2023. https://www.homelesshouston.org/about
  6. National Alliance to End Homelessness. "State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition." NAEH, 2024. https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness/
  7. Corinth, Kevin and Lucas, David S. "When Warm and These Winds Blow: Homelessness and the Homeless." Journal of Housing Economics, Vol. 22, No. 1, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhe.2012.11.001
  8. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Veteran Homelessness Fact Sheet." VA Homeless Programs, 2024. https://www.va.gov/homeless/