Homelessness Disparities

African American children are significantly overrepresented among the homeless youth population in the United States. While specific percentages can vary based on the source and year of data, a 2020 report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness provides some insight into this issue:

African American individuals make up about 40% of the homeless population in the U.S., despite being only about 13% of the total population.

Several factors contribute to this disproportionality, including:

Economic Disparities: Higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment in African American communities increase the risk of homelessness.
Housing Discrimination: Historical and ongoing housing discrimination practices, such as redlining and predatory lending, have limited access to stable housing for many African American families.
Systemic Inequities: Inequities in education, employment, healthcare, and the criminal justice system disproportionately affect African American families, increasing the likelihood of housing instability.
Family Dynamics: African American families are more likely to experience intergenerational poverty and lack access to supportive services that can prevent homelessness.