On any given night in the District of Columbia there are 3,782 single persons and 1,356 adults and children in 440 family households who are experiencing homelessness.
These households include:
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798 unsheltered persons (i.e. persons “on the street”);
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3,275 persons in Emergency Shelters; and
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1,065 persons in Transitional Housing facilities.
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Below are some key factors that affect a person's vulnerability for homelessness.
Demographics
A person’s age, ethnicity, gender, and race will all affect how they engage the homeless services system.
Health and Disabilities
Overall, the health of individuals still being served by the homeless services system is poor.
Experiences
A person’s experience with domestic violence, the foster care system, and institutional settings can affect how they interact with the homeless services system.
Income & Employment
Most individuals experiencing homelessness are unable to obtain an income that can support their housing either through employment or benefit programs.
Subpopulations
While the number of transitional age youth, veterans, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ is relatively small, understanding the ways in which these populations engage with the homeless services system is critical.
Dashboards
Explore our data dashboards to better understand the District’s CoC system performance and the demographics of those experiencing homelessness.
