Data on Homelessness Among African-American Veterans

Presented by: M William Sermons, DirectorHomelessness Research Institute

Presented at: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 2010 Annual Conference

June 23, 2010

Findings from Vital Mission (2007)

• Veterans better educated, more likely to be employed and lower poverty rate than general population.

• Veterans make up a disproportionate share of homeless people (26% of homeless vs. 11% of population 18+)

Findings from 2008 Data/Policy Update (2009)

22

58

0 50 100

RatePer

10,000

Veterans

Overall

Persons served by race/ethnicity.

Gen Vets

African-American 42% 45%

White 38% 46%

Other 20% 8%

Quote from 5th Annual AHAR (June 2010)

“ When compared to their counterparts nationwide, homeless people are much more likely to be adult males, African Americans, non-elderly, alone, veterans and disabled.”

~ U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development

Veteran Status as Protective Factor for All

General Population Veterans

Male 49% 93%

Poverty 15% 8%

Home Owner 67% 78%

Unemployed >3% <3%

Severe Cost Burden

14% 9%

Doubled Up 2% <1%

Alliance analysis of 2008 American Community Survey, Census Bureau

For Black Veterans

Black Non-Veterans Black Veterans

Male 43% 88%

Poverty 26% 14%

Home Owner 47% 61%

Unemployed 8% 5%

Severe Cost Burden

19% 13%

Doubled Up 3% 1%

Alliance analysis of 2008 American Community Survey, Census Bureau

Disparities among Veterans by Race

Veterans Black Veterans

Male 93% 88%

Poverty 8% 14%

Home Owner 78% 61%

Unemployed 3% 5%

Severe Cost Burden

9% 13%

Doubled Up <1% 1%

Alliance analysis of 2008 American Community Survey, Census Bureau

Summary

• Veteran status is a protective factor against most economic hardship, including risk factors for homelessness.

• Protective factor appears to extend to African American veterans.

• Veterans experience a higher rate of homelessness than non-veterans.

• African American veterans are overrepresented among homeless veterans.

Implications

• African American veterans face multiple risk factors for homelessness, which should be factored into policy and practice.

• Only one of these risk factors (veteran status) is explicitly addressed in Opening Doors.

• Better understanding of African American veteran homeless population is needed to effectively end homelessness.