● in the United States. Estimates have been made at somewhere between 250,000 and 4 million. Who are the Homeless? 1. 3. 2. It is diffividuals between the ages of 25 and 34 comprise 25%; and 6% single mothers, and children make up the largest group of BACKGROUND ASSESSMENT DATAthat this number is higher in rural areas, where families, Age.Families.age of the homeless: 39% are younger than 18 years; indi-ing segments of the homeless population. Families comprise are ages 55 to 64.33% of the urban homeless population, but research indicates Gender. women comprise 17%.Coalition for the Homeless (NCH, 2007) reports that single men comprise 51% of the homeless population and single Studies have produced a variety of statistics related to cult to determine how many individuals are homeless More men than women are homeless. The National Families with children are among the fastest grow-HomelessnessC HAPTER^20
2506_Ch20_341-347.indd 0341 2506 Ch 20 341 - 347 .indd Mental Illness and Homelessnessdisorder, substance abuse and dependence, depression, person- 4. diagnosis. Other prevalent disorders include bipolar affective 0 Schizophrenia is frequently described as the most common of the homeless population has some form of mental illness. The USCM (2008) survey revealed that approximately 26% ality disorders, and organic mental disorders. 341 Ethnicity.42% African American, 39% white, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native American, and 2% Asian (U.S. Conference of Mayors [USCM], 2006). The ethnic makeup of homeless populations varies according to geographic location.homeless people. The homeless population is estimated to be^341 1 10/1/10 9:37:51 AM 0 / 1 / 10 9 : 37 : 51 AM
