Homelessness and Racial Disparities

#housing

Homelessness is a growing problem in the United States, and research shows that Black and Native people are overrepresented among the homeless population compared to their proportion of people living in deep poverty. This is largely due to long-standing historical and structural racism, which has created and perpetuated homelessness.

African Americans represent 13% of the general population but account for 37% of people experiencing homelessness and more than 49% of homeless families with children. The disproportionality in homelessness is a by-product of systemic inequity: the lingering effects of racism continue to perpetuate disparities in critical areas that impact rates of homelessness. Source

From slavery to segregation, African Americans have been systemically denied rights and socioeconomic opportunities. Other minority groups, including Indigenous and Latinx people, share similar histories. The disproportionality in homelessness is a by-product of systemic inequity: the lingering effects of racism continue to perpetuate disparities in critical areas that impact rates of homelessness. Source

The most striking disparity can be found among African Americans, who are more likely to experience homelessness than non-minority groups. Other minority groups, including Indigenous and Latinx people, share similar histories. Source

Poverty is a strong predictor of homelessness, and Black and Latinx groups are overrepresented in poverty relative to their representation in the overall population. Segregation and rental housing discrimination are also root causes of the current wealth gap between White households and households of color. Source