Approximately 80% of people who stay in urban homeless shelters are homeless only once and for a short period of time.

The homeless population is estimated to be 42% African-American, 39% Caucasian, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native American, and 2% Asian.

On any given night, 571,000 veterans are homeless.

40% of homeless men have served in the armed forces.

Approximately 30% of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe mental illness.

Between 50 and 60% of homeless adults are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between abusive relationships and homelessness.

There are an estimated 3 million people who are homeless in the United States on any given night.

The primary causes of homelessness among youth are drug and alcohol abuse.

Approximately 30% of the nation's homeless are considered "elderly", over the age of 51.