Homeless Ministry

The Importance of Homeless Ministry in America Today

Homelessness in America has reached crisis levels. According to the 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), approximately 771,480 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024, an 18% increase from 2023 and the highest number recorded since data collection began in 2007. This represents 23 out of every 10,000 Americans without stable housing.

Approximately 150,000 children experienced homelessness in 2024, representing a 33% increase from the previous year, the largest jump of any age group. Chronic homelessness has also reached record levels, with 152,585 people meeting HUD's definition of chronic homelessness. Research shows that people experiencing homelessness have an average life expectancy of just 50 years compared to 77 for the general American population, displaying the urgent health impacts of housing instability. Faith-based organizations play a critical role in addressing this crisis, administering more than half of all food programs for homeless assistance and approximately one-quarter of housing programs including emergency shelters and transitional housing.