Person photographed from behind standing in front of tents at homeless encampment in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

States with the most homelessness

Written by:
April 6, 2022
Updated on April 7, 2020
Kerem Yucel // AFP via Getty Images

States with the most homelessness

There are more than 552,000 homeless people in the United States.

From efforts to relocate homeless people from public transit to a Constance (and often complicated) stream of programs designed to combat homelessness around the country, the country as a whole has yet to find reliable solutions for getting people into safe, secure homes.

Figuring out what to do about homelessness starts with looking at data revealing which areas of the country have the biggest needs. To determine which states have the largest homeless populations, Stacker used data from the 2020 Point-In-Time count conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the most recent national data available for homeless populations. The data was collected in January 2020 and released in March 2021. States are ranked here according to the share of their populations that are homeless, using total population data from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program April 2020 estimates.

We also looked at a range of news articles, government reports, and papers from nonprofit organizations to explore what homelessness is like in every state. Keep reading to learn more about homelessness in every state and the reasons why people end up on the streets.

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#51. Mississippi

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,107 (0.04% of state population, -6.5% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 64.0% men, 35.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 46.3% White
--- 50.0% Black or African American
--- 0.3% Asian
--- 1.0% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 1.6% Hispanic/Latino
--- 98.4% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Almost two-thirds of homeless people in Mississippi are veterans, according to Joshua Tom, a guest columnist at the Clarion Ledger and legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. Many cities in the state have been cracking down on panhandling, which can put homeless people in legal trouble and leave them without the cash to meet daily needs.

#50. Alabama

- State homeless population, 2020: 3,351 (0.07% of state population, +2.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 59.3% men, 38.6% women
- Race demographics:
--- 43.6% White
--- 52.4% Black or African American
--- 0.1% Asian
--- 1.1% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 3.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 95.9% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition blames a shortage of homes for the rates of homelessness in Alabama. It found that many of the residences in the state were either out of budget for low-income people or not suited for families.

#49. Louisiana

- State homeless population, 2020: 3,173 (0.07% of state population, +7.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 69.1% men, 30.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 36.7% White
--- 60.1% Black or African American
--- 0.7% Asian
--- 0.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 2.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 97.2% Non-Hispanic/Latino

While Louisiana still has a problem with homelessness, the situation has been improving in recent years. One reason it has gotten better is because organizations in the state began to provide housing first to people who were most vulnerable, rather than those who showed a high chance of success, according to Christa Pazzaglia of HOPE Connections homeless coalition.

#48. Virginia

- State homeless population, 2020: 5,957 (0.07% of state population, +3.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 59.5% men, 40.2% women
- Race demographics:
--- 37.5% White
--- 53.2% Black or African American
--- 1.6% Asian
--- 1.0% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 8.3% Hispanic/Latino
--- 91.7% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A rapid rehousing initiative has helped Virginia curb its homelessness rates by covering security deposits and rent for people in need, according to Ned Oliver of the Virginia Mercury. Richmond, Virginia, has experienced the biggest decrease in homelessness over the past decade or so.

#47. North Dakota

- State homeless population, 2020: 541 (0.07% of state population, -2.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 58.0% men, 41.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 52.7% White
--- 17.6% Black or African American
--- 0.2% Asian
--- 24.2% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 7.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 92.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

North Dakota has a housing affordability problem, according to Michelle Conlin of Reuters. It has caused homelessness rates to spike in the middle of the last decade, even among people who have jobs at high-profit oil and gas companies. Some cities also lacked homeless shelters.

#46. West Virginia

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,341 (0.07% of state population, -4.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 61.0% men, 38.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 81.8% White
--- 13.5% Black or African American
--- 0.2% Asian
--- 0.8% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 2.2% Hispanic/Latino
--- 97.8% Non-Hispanic/Latino

The average length of time that someone goes without a home in West Virginia is 58 days, according to 2016 data from the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. Even after they're successfully housed, about a quarter of the homeless people within the state end up back out on the streets.

#45. Wisconsin

- State homeless population, 2020: 4,515 (0.08% of state population, -0.5% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 57.9% men, 41.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 53.7% White
--- 34.8% Black or African American
--- 1.0% Asian
--- 4.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 8.9% Hispanic/Latino
--- 91.1% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Wisconsin is among the states with the largest number of families facing homelessness in rural areas, according to Danielle Kaeding of Wisconsin Public Radio. Lawmakers have been at odds about ways to combat homelessness in the state.

#44. Arkansas

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,366 (0.08% of state population, -12.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 66.0% men, 33.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 57.2% White
--- 38.1% Black or African American
--- 0.2% Asian
--- 1.8% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 2.2% Hispanic/Latino
--- 97.8% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Low-income people in Arkansas face a severe deficit of affordable housing, which is contributing to the rates of homelessness in the state, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Other causes of homelessness in Arkansas include mental and physical health problems, substance abuse issues, and lack of education.

#43. Connecticut

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,905 (0.08% of state population, -4.2% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 61.4% men, 38.1% women
- Race demographics:
--- 52.3% White
--- 36.7% Black or African American
--- 0.6% Asian
--- 1.2% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 29.2% Hispanic/Latino
--- 70.8% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Most of the people in Connecticut who stay at homeless shelters come from struggling cities in the state, according to Jake Kara of The CT Mirror. Those who come from wealthy towns usually have longer durations of stay at homeless shelters. The state has faced a decline in available beds at shelters in recent years.

#42. Illinois

- State homeless population, 2020: 10,431 (0.08% of state population, +2.3% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 58.4% men, 41.2% women
- Race demographics:
--- 35.2% White
--- 60.7% Black or African American
--- 0.9% Asian
--- 0.8% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 10.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 89.2% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Poor renters who have unaffordable housing are among the populations facing a high risk of homelessness in Illinois, according to Housing Action Illinois. The group also found that there were more than 52,000 students in Illinois public schools who had unstable housing situations.

#41. Indiana

- State homeless population, 2020: 5,625 (0.08% of state population, +2.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 60.8% men, 38.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 62.1% White
--- 31.7% Black or African American
--- 0.7% Asian
--- 0.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 6.2% Hispanic/Latino
--- 93.8% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Indianapolis is on a five-year plan to end homelessness by 2023, according to Maureen C. Gilmer of IndyStar. One of the plan's goals is to cut the amount of time a person or family lives in a shelter from 86 days to 30. The city is working on building 1,100 new permanent supportive housing units for people who are homeless.

#40. Iowa

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,647 (0.08% of state population, +14.3% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 62.0% men, 37.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 66.5% White
--- 22.5% Black or African American
--- 0.7% Asian
--- 4.6% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 6.9% Hispanic/Latino
--- 93.1% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Homeless people in rural parts of Iowa lack access to resources and services that are available in more urban parts of the state, according to Ian Richardson of The Des Moines Register. It can also be difficult for them to be counted or offered services, as they often go unnoticed.

#39. Kansas

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,449 (0.08% of state population, +2.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 61.9% men, 37.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 61.7% White
--- 22.6% Black or African American
--- 0.6% Asian
--- 3.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 10.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 89.2% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Wichita, Kansas, has been working with the police in recent years to help reduce the number of arrests of homeless people as well as tickets given to them, according to The Chung Report. Instead of legal citations, which can perpetuate the cycle of homelessness, the police department's Homeless Outreach Team refers homeless people to services that may be able to help them.

#38. South Carolina

- State homeless population, 2020: 4,287 (0.08% of state population, +2.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 63.0% men, 36.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 44.0% White
--- 50.4% Black or African American
--- 0.3% Asian
--- 1.3% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 2.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 97.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Horry County has the highest rate of homeless people in South Carolina, followed by Richland, Greenwood, and Florence, according to a 2019 report from the South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness. The report also found that rural communities lack the resources they need to collect information on homeless populations and provide them with shelter.

#37. Michigan

- State homeless population, 2020: 8,638 (0.09% of state population, +0.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 56.2% men, 43.6% women
- Race demographics:
--- 46.6% White
--- 45.6% Black or African American
--- 0.6% Asian
--- 1.2% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 5.6% Hispanic/Latino
--- 94.4% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Homelessness has been increasing in Michigan due to housing prices that are rising faster than incomes, according to Sarah Cwiek of Michigan Radio. The state also has a scarcity of housing that's affordable and fit for families.

#36. North Carolina

- State homeless population, 2020: 9,280 (0.09% of state population, -0.4% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 60.8% men, 38.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 43.8% White
--- 51.3% Black or African American
--- 0.3% Asian
--- 1.0% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 5.0% Hispanic/Latino
--- 95.0% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Around 14% of people in North Carolina who are experiencing chronic homelessness are also coping with a disabling condition such as a serious mental health issue, physical disability, or substance abuse problem, according to the NC Coalition to End Homelessness. While the population of homeless veterans in the state has gone down over the last decade, former military members still comprised 1 in 10 homeless people in North Carolina.

#35. Kentucky

- State homeless population, 2020: 4,011 (0.09% of state population, -1.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 59.7% men, 40.1% women
- Race demographics:
--- 70.5% White
--- 24.8% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 3.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 96.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Around 13% of people who are homeless in Kentucky are considered chronically homeless, according to Shaye Rabold, the coordinator for the statewide homeless counting initiative known as K-Count. The vast majority are without a residence because they can't afford rent or have faced a financial challenge like losing a job.

#34. Ohio

- State homeless population, 2020: 10,655 (0.09% of state population, +3.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 60.1% men, 39.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 50.2% White
--- 43.8% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 0.7% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 4.6% Hispanic/Latino
--- 95.4% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Ohio has seen its supply of affordable housing drop, which is contributing to rates of homelessness in the state, according to Bill Faith, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, who was quoted in an article by Joseph Cooke of ABC6. Housing costs take up more than half the incomes of 400,000 households in the state.

#33. Texas

- State homeless population, 2020: 27,229 (0.09% of state population, +5.3% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 62.7% men, 37.0% women
- Race demographics:
--- 57.9% White
--- 36.7% Black or African American
--- 0.8% Asian
--- 1.3% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 27.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 72.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A shortage of affordable housing is the reason for the rate of homelessness in Texas, according to Megan Menchaca of The Texas Tribune. This issue is especially prevalent in urban areas like Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

#32. Georgia

- State homeless population, 2020: 10,234 (0.10% of state population, -2.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 62.0% men, 36.6% women
- Race demographics:
--- 29.6% White
--- 65.5% Black or African American
--- 0.9% Asian
--- 0.6% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 5.1% Hispanic/Latino
--- 94.9% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Homelessness in Georgia has been increasing in recent years. Some advocates and service providers blame a dwindling supply of affordable housing for the increased rates of homelessness, according to Jill Nolin of the Georgia Recorder.

#31. Utah

- State homeless population, 2020: 3,131 (0.10% of state population, +11.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 59.5% men, 39.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 75.6% White
--- 10.6% Black or African American
--- 1.1% Asian
--- 5.2% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 24.6% Hispanic/Latino
--- 75.4% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Utah has seen a spike in homelessness over the last few years after once being considered a leading city in the fight to relieve it, according to Gregory Scruggs of Reuters. State officials point to rising housing and land costs, stagnant wages, and the opioid epidemic as the reasons for the increasing rates of homelessness.

#30. Oklahoma

- State homeless population, 2020: 3,932 (0.10% of state population, -0.3% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 63.6% men, 35.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 62.3% White
--- 20.7% Black or African American
--- 0.3% Asian
--- 10.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 7.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 92.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Oklahoma City recently approved a $50 million investment in affordable housing to help eliminate homelessness. Some residents are concerned that the plan may encourage homeless people from other cities and states to move to Oklahoma City, according to Erika Stanish of Fox25.

#29. Rhode Island

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,104 (0.10% of state population, +4.6% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 60.4% men, 39.0% women
- Race demographics:
--- 59.4% White
--- 29.2% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 2.2% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 22.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 77.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

The homeless population in Rhode Island primarily consists of the working poor, according to Crossroads Rhode Island. Living paycheck to paycheck makes them particularly vulnerable to homelessness if an unexpected expense, job loss, or illness pops up in their lives.

#28. Pennsylvania

- State homeless population, 2020: 13,375 (0.10% of state population, +1.3% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 59.1% men, 40.3% women
- Race demographics:
--- 43.8% White
--- 50.8% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 13.0% Hispanic/Latino
--- 87.0% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A lack of living-wage jobs is contributing to homelessness in Philadelphia, according to Project Home. Other reasons that drive people into homelessness include a shortage of affordable housing, the disparity between the cost of apartment rentals and minimum wage and other sources of income, high cost of health care, and a lack of support for people with mental health and substance abuse issues.

#27. Maryland

- State homeless population, 2020: 6,360 (0.10% of state population, -3.1% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 59.0% men, 40.4% women
- Race demographics:
--- 34.8% White
--- 59.0% Black or African American
--- 0.9% Asian
--- 0.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 5.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 94.2% Non-Hispanic/Latino

The high cost of housing in Maryland is making it hard for many people to afford a place to live, according to Health Care for the Homeless. The organization estimates that a person would need to work more than three full-time jobs at minimum wage to cover the fair market rent for an apartment with two bedrooms in the state.

#26. New Jersey

- State homeless population, 2020: 9,662 (0.10% of state population, +9.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 58.1% men, 41.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 38.1% White
--- 56.1% Black or African American
--- 0.6% Asian
--- 0.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 20.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 79.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Job loss, trauma, substance abuse issues, systemic poverty, and domestic abuse are some of the reasons that people in New Jersey are homeless, according to Goodwill Rescue Mission. Around a quarter of the state's homeless population is found in Essex County.

#25. Tennessee

- State homeless population, 2020: 7,256 (0.10% of state population, -2.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 63.9% men, 35.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 56.4% White
--- 39.3% Black or African American
--- 0.4% Asian
--- 0.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 2.6% Hispanic/Latino
--- 97.4% Non-Hispanic/Latino

While Nashville, Tennessee, had a surplus of around 2,000 affordable rental properties in 2000, it had a shortfall of 18,000 units by 2015, according to Open Table Nashville. The lack of affordable housing options is making it difficult for the working class to find a place to live and may be contributing to homelessness.

#24. Missouri

- State homeless population, 2020: 6,527 (0.11% of state population, +5.6% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 54.2% men, 45.2% women
- Race demographics:
--- 54.0% White
--- 38.1% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 1.3% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 5.0% Hispanic/Latino
--- 95.0% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Kansas City, Missouri, passed a tenant's bill of rights in December 2019 in an effort to protect renters and reduce homelessness. It referred to data that found that at least 9,000 renter families in Jackson County alone were at risk of homelessness due to the number of eviction filings in 2018.

#23. Wyoming

- State homeless population, 2020: 612 (0.11% of state population, +11.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 56.2% men, 43.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 83.3% White
--- 6.2% Black or African American
--- 0.0% Asian
--- 6.4% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 12.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 87.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A lack of services to address mental health problems and substance abuse in Wyoming is contributing to homelessness in the state, according to Better Wyoming. Some shelters in the state have a zero-tolerance policy against the use of drugs and alcohol, which could leave some homeless people out in the cold in the middle of winter.

#22. Delaware

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,165 (0.12% of state population, +26.5% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 60.2% men, 39.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 35.4% White
--- 58.2% Black or African American
--- 0.3% Asian
--- 0.6% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 8.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 91.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A lack of affordable rental homes is contributing to homelessness in Delaware. For every 100 Delaware households that are considered in poverty and need a place to rent, there are just 24 available rental homes in their price range, according to Housing Alliance Delaware, which was cited in an article by Christina Jedra of The News Journal.

#21. South Dakota

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,058 (0.12% of state population, +6.3% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 57.4% men, 42.3% women
- Race demographics:
--- 25.0% White
--- 6.1% Black or African American
--- 0.2% Asian
--- 66.1% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 7.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 92.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Native Americans in South Dakota face a disproportionately high rate of homelessness compared with other groups. The reservations of the state's federally recognized tribes tend to have high rates of poverty, while members who go to cities in search of work often end up homeless, according to Cecily Hilleary of Voice of America.

#20. New Hampshire

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,675 (0.12% of state population, +20.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 55.8% men, 43.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 88.0% White
--- 5.9% Black or African American
--- 1.0% Asian
--- 0.4% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 11.0% Hispanic/Latino
--- 89.0% Non-Hispanic/Latino

New Hampshire does not have enough affordable housing, and that's causing many people to become homeless, according to Dr. Cathy Kuhn of The New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness, who was cited in an article by Sarah Gibson of New Hampshire Public Radio. While renters' incomes have ticked up, they haven't increased at the same price as housing costs.

#19. Nebraska

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,404 (0.12% of state population, +1.6% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 62.4% men, 37.3% women
- Race demographics:
--- 66.1% White
--- 22.6% Black or African American
--- 0.9% Asian
--- 3.0% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 13.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 86.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Omaha, Nebraska, implemented a new job-placement program for homeless people and others who are struggling to make ends meet in February 2019. The city also had plans to open a new homeless shelter in December 2019, according to a November 2019 article from Tara Campbell of WOWT.

#18. Idaho

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,315 (0.13% of state population, 0.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 55.1% men, 44.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 82.2% White
--- 2.2% Black or African American
--- 0.6% Asian
--- 9.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 17.9% Hispanic/Latino
--- 82.1% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Officials in Boise, Idaho, have been engaged in a legal battle to issue anti-camping violations to homeless people in the city, according to David Lightman of the Idaho Statesman. Many homeless people in the state have serious mental health or substance abuse problems.

#17. Florida

- State homeless population, 2020: 27,487 (0.13% of state population, -3.0% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 64.3% men, 35.4% women
- Race demographics:
--- 54.9% White
--- 40.2% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 1.2% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 14.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 85.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Florida is facing a deficit of nearly 430,000 available and affordable rental units for low-income people, according to 2019 data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The lack of budget-friendly housing may be primarily to blame for homelessness in the state.

#16. Minnesota

- State homeless population, 2020: 7,940 (0.14% of state population, -0.5% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 56.5% men, 42.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 38.0% White
--- 41.6% Black or African American
--- 1.8% Asian
--- 10.0% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 8.1% Hispanic/Latino
--- 91.9% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Around 39% of homeless people in Minnesota say they left their last residence due to a lack of lease renewal or an eviction, according to the 2018 Minnesota Homeless Study. Another 38% say they can't afford rent or mortgage payments.

#15. Montana

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,545 (0.14% of state population, +13.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 58.0% men, 40.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 70.4% White
--- 3.3% Black or African American
--- 0.3% Asian
--- 19.4% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 9.5% Hispanic/Latino
--- 90.5% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Jim McGrath, a representative of the Missoula Housing Authority, has expressed concern that recent budget cuts to Montana's mental health and disability services may drive up homelessness, according to Eric Whitney of Montana Public Radio. Most cities in the state have seen homelessness decline in recent years.

#14. Arizona

- State homeless population, 2020: 10,979 (0.15% of state population, +9.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 61.0% men, 38.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 62.9% White
--- 20.8% Black or African American
--- 0.7% Asian
--- 9.4% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 21.5% Hispanic/Latino
--- 78.5% Non-Hispanic/Latino

There are more than 1,500 homeless encampments in Phoenix, Arizona. When the city gets a complaint about an encampment, it sends an outreach team to offer services that can help, such as detox programs, according to Jessica Boehm of The Republic.

#13. Maine

- State homeless population, 2020: 2,097 (0.15% of state population, -0.4% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 54.5% men, 44.8% women
- Race demographics:
--- 77.8% White
--- 14.8% Black or African American
--- 0.1% Asian
--- 2.3% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 4.0% Hispanic/Latino
--- 96.0% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Only five states—one of which is Maine—have found a way to shelter a minimum of 95% of their homeless residents, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report cited in an article by Taylor Cairns of WGME. However, housing advocates say Maine's homelessness rates fail to count the total number of homeless people in the state, according to Bangor Daily News.

#12. New Mexico

- State homeless population, 2020: 3,333 (0.16% of state population, +2.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 63.1% men, 35.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 60.3% White
--- 6.8% Black or African American
--- 0.4% Asian
--- 24.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 39.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 60.2% Non-Hispanic/Latino

There's a new $30 million homeless shelter in the works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some people quoted in a report from Jeannie Nguyen of KRQE Media said that homeless people from other states are coming to New Mexico in the hopes of accessing more resources.

#11. Colorado

- State homeless population, 2020: 9,846 (0.17% of state population, +2.4% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 66.6% men, 32.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 65.1% White
--- 18.4% Black or African American
--- 0.5% Asian
--- 5.4% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 23.2% Hispanic/Latino
--- 76.8% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Stagnant wages and a shortage of affordable housing are some of the reasons why Denver, Colorado, has a high rate of homelessness, according to executive director of the Metro Denver Homelessness Initiative Matt Meyer. Families with children account for nearly a quarter of the homeless people in the city, according to the 2019 Point in Time count.

#10. Vermont

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,110 (0.17% of state population, +1.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 54.1% men, 44.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 88.6% White
--- 5.6% Black or African American
--- 0.8% Asian
--- 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 3.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 96.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

In mid-June 2020, Vermont officials unveiled a plan to move about 2,000 homeless people who were formerly in shelters but currently living in hotels and motels into permanent housing, according to Kevin McCallum of Seven Days. The plan will cost $23 million, more than half of which will come from the state's coronavirus relief funds.

#9. Nevada

- State homeless population, 2020: 6,900 (0.22% of state population, -3.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 70.1% men, 29.7% women
- Race demographics:
--- 63.7% White
--- 27.3% Black or African American
--- 1.9% Asian
--- 2.1% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 15.1% Hispanic/Latino
--- 84.9% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Nevada was recently awarded nearly $33.5 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help homeless families during the pandemic, according to Jeniffer Solis of the Nevada Current. The money will be used to build emergency shelters, offer vouchers for hotels or motels to families in need, and provide rapid rehousing.

#8. Massachusetts

- State homeless population, 2020: 17,975 (0.26% of state population, -2.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 50.3% men, 49.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 55.1% White
--- 36.4% Black or African American
--- 1.1% Asian
--- 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 34.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 65.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Some of the leading causes of homelessness in Massachusetts are the state's high cost of houses and apartments and a lack of housing subsidies, according to Kelly Turley, associate director at the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The state has been experiencing some of the highest rates of growth in homelessness in the country.

#7. Alaska

- State homeless population, 2020: 1,949 (0.27% of state population, +2.2% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 57.2% men, 42.5% women
- Race demographics:
--- 32.5% White
--- 7.0% Black or African American
--- 1.1% Asian
--- 45.7% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 6.5% Hispanic/Latino
--- 93.5% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Recent budget cuts in Alaska have made things more difficult for the state's homeless population. Some shelters in Anchorage had to shut down during the day and put people on the streets, while overcrowded quarters in rural areas often leads to health problems for at-risk people, according to Ben Kesslen of NBC News.

#6. Washington

- State homeless population, 2020: 22,923 (0.30% of state population, +6.2% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 57.1% men, 41.1% women
- Race demographics:
--- 60.7% White
--- 17.2% Black or African American
--- 1.4% Asian
--- 11.1% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 13.3% Hispanic/Latino
--- 86.7% Non-Hispanic/Latino

The rapid increase of rents in Washington is the leading factor driving homelessness, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce. Nonprofit organizations in the state provide housing for more than 98,000 people who are experiencing homelessness each year.

#5. Oregon

- State homeless population, 2020: 14,655 (0.35% of state population, -7.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 61.9% men, 37.1% women
- Race demographics:
--- 81.3% White
--- 5.7% Black or African American
--- 0.8% Asian
--- 4.9% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 9.4% Hispanic/Latino
--- 90.6% Non-Hispanic/Latino

High rents and a shortage of housing puts tens of thousands of families with children at risk of homelessness in Oregon. Many chronically homeless people in the state are also struggling with a lack of intensive social services and housing specialized to their needs, according to the Oregon Community Foundation.

#4. California

- State homeless population, 2020: 161,548 (0.41% of state population, +6.8% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 65.5% men, 33.1% women
- Race demographics:
--- 54.1% White
--- 30.7% Black or African American
--- 2.0% Asian
--- 4.0% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 32.2% Hispanic/Latino
--- 67.8% Non-Hispanic/Latino

The primary reason people become homeless in California is unaffordable rent, according to CalMatters. The state has around 1.3 million renter households that fall into the "extremely low income" category, taking home less than $25,000 annually.

#3. Hawaii

- State homeless population, 2020: 6,458 (0.44% of state population, +0.7% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 60.0% men, 39.0% women
- Race demographics:
--- 22.7% White
--- 4.6% Black or African American
--- 8.7% Asian
--- 1.3% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 14.5% Hispanic/Latino
--- 85.5% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Subpar wages and ultra-high housing costs are two of the reasons why Hawaii has such a large homeless population, according to Melanie Schmitz of Bustle. In 2014, the state created a $1.3 million initiative to provide flights for homeless people in Waikiki to the continental U.S. in an effort to curb homelessness, according to Robbie Couch of the Huffington Post.

#2. New York

- State homeless population, 2020: 91,271 (0.45% of state population, -0.9% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 53.6% men, 45.9% women
- Race demographics:
--- 23.9% White
--- 68.1% Black or African American
--- 1.0% Asian
--- 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 33.8% Hispanic/Latino
--- 66.2% Non-Hispanic/Latino

A shortage of affordable housing is driving the increasing rates of homelessness in New York City, according to Daniel Brown of Business Insider. More than 60,000 people lived in the shelter system, while another 4,000 spent the night in the subways, on the streets, or in other areas around the city.

#1. Washington DC

- State homeless population, 2020: 6,380 (0.93% of state population, -2.2% change from 2018)
- Gender demographics: 58.7% men, 40.4% women
- Race demographics:
--- 7.9% White
--- 88.1% Black or African American
--- 0.6% Asian
--- 0.4% Native American or Alaska Native
- Ethnicity demographics:
--- 8.7% Hispanic/Latino
--- 91.3% Non-Hispanic/Latino

Around 39% of homeless people in Washington D.C., say that the loss of a job is what's responsible for their lack of shelter, according to a survey from the 2019 Point-in-Time count. The District is the only place in the region that guarantees shelter for people in need during the winter—a policy that some officials say draws homeless people from other areas, according to Martin Austermuhle of WAMU. However, the survey also indicated that the majority of homeless people in Washington D.C., lived there before they became homeless.

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