Facts

The following data was collected in Homeward's winter (January 25, 2007) count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Richmond region. A total of 1,024 adults and 134 children were counted. The statistics reported below represent the 67.4% of adults who completed the Homeward point-in-time survey.

72.4% of adults are males, 27.6% are females. Most homeless people are single, never married adults (55.0%). 45% of people are or have been in families, including those who are widowed or divorced. (The combined total for single, never married, widowed, separated and divorced adults is 88%).
Most people are African American (72.8%), Caucasian (24.2%) or Hispanic (2%).
The average age for adults is 42.74 years.
50.6% have a high school education or a GED. 17.4% attended some college, and 6.4% have a college degree.
19.8% are veterans.
The majority (69.6%) served some time in jail and/or prison. Of those serving time in jail and/or prison, 61.2% reported having felony convictions and 32.4% reported being homeless before incarceration.
35.8% experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. Of those experiencing domestic violence, 9.5% had experienced it in the past month and 39.8% had experienced it in the past year.
46.9% report having a problem with alcohol sometime in their lifetime. Of those reporting a problem with alcohol, 79.7% are currently in recovery.
55.4% report having a problem with substance abuse sometime in their lifetime. Of those reporting a problem, 79.7% are currently in recovery.
32.9% report having a mental health problem sometime in their lifetime. Of these, 66.8% stayed in a hospital overnight for psychiatric care and 63.8% are currently being treated for mental illness.
24.6% report having a long-term disability.
28.8% are employed. Of those that are employed, 66.9% work full time and 33.1% work part time. In addition, 22.7% are temporary workers and 3.8% work for a labor pool.
50.2% of respondents have lived in Greater Richmond for 17 years or more.
Most (58.5%) reported having their last housing in Richmond. Additionally, at least 9.4% last lived in Henrico, 5.8% in Chesterfield and 1% in Hanover. 14% of those seeking services in our region last lived elsewhere in Virginia and 10% in other states.
33.2% of homeless people have children living with them.
Most homeless people have been homeless once (44.8%) or twice (25.8%). Only 14.3% have been homeless four or more times.
Half of homeless people (50.1%) have been homeless for five months or less.

Facts

Other Links

Homeward

Department of Housing and Community Development

National Coalition for the Homeless