Acknowledging the complex and multifaceted nature of homelessness is a necessary step in finding its solution. At Family Promise, we recognize the many areas of social justice that overlap with the issue of family homelessness and incorporate them in our approach. Family Promise has been, and will continue to be, vocal on topics regarding racial justice, disability justice, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and other societal challenges that play a role in our mission to end family homelessness. Below are 10 statistics that demonstrate why we need to consider the intersectionality of homelessness:
- African Americans comprise 39% of homeless individuals, and over 50% of homeless families with children. (via: National Alliance to End Homelessness)
- 90% of homeless mothers report experiencing physical or sexual abuse. (via: The Bassuk Center)
- Roughly 7% of youth identify as LGBTQ+ but 40% of youths experiencing homelessness are LGBTQ+. (via: True Colors United)
- 53% of African American and 51.9% of Hispanic renters report being cost burdened. In comparison, 41.9% of white renters report being cost burdened. (via: Habitat for Humanity)
- 92% of women experiencing homelessness have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives, and 63% have been victims of intimate partner violence as adults. (via: Doorways)
- Over 55% of LGBT and 67% of transgender youths report that the primary reason for their homelessness is because they were forced out by/running away from their caregivers due to their identity (via: True Colors United)
- About half of the 30 million Americans who lack health insurance are people of color. (via: National Alliance to End Homelessness)
- 84% of families experiencing homelessness are female-headed. (via: Green Doors)
- LGBTQ+ Youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers (via: Voices of Youth Count)
- More than 40% of all people experiencing homelessness have physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities or illnesses. (via: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness)
