Stories will be posted soon, however, while you wait, here are some statistics from a homeless shelter in Orange County:
More than 80% of shelter clients report having a mental and/or physical disability, 72% report experiencing chronic homelessness (as defined by HUD), and 26% are survivors of domestic violence.
Homelessness, according to local and national studies, is most commonly a result of economic poverty. All clients are considered Very-Low Income or Extremely Low Income. 98% of clients meet the State of California's definition of extremely low-income (30% of area median income) and 87% of clients report income below the Federal Poverty Level.
Age Groups:
- 47% 45-64
- 35% 25-44
- 13% 65+
- 5% 16-24
Gender:
- 65% Male
- 35% Female
Race/Ethnicity
- 67% White, non-Hispanic
- 15% Hispanic/Latino
- 7% Black
- 3% Native American Indian, Indigenous peoples, or Alaska Native
- 3% Multiracial (Individuals that identify as two or more races)
- 2% Asian
- 2% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI)
- 1% Not Tracked
Thank you to the Friendship Shelter for providing us with this information.