chronic homelessness
Chronic homelessness remains one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing housing and healthcare systems across the United States. According to the 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, 141,417 people were experiencing chronic homelessness on a single night in January 2024—the highest number recorded to date. Alarmingly, more than 65% of them were unsheltered, living on sidewalks, subways, or in encampments.
What Is Chronic Homelessness?
Under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an individual is considered chronically homeless if they:
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Have a disabling condition (such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or chronic physical health issue), and
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Have been continuously homeless for 12 months or longer, or have had four or more episodes of homelessness within the last three years.
Who Is Affected?
Many chronically homeless individuals live with co-occurring conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Veterans, older adults, people with disabilities, and survivors of long-term trauma are disproportionately affected.
People experiencing chronic homelessness often cycle through emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals, detox centers, shelters, and jails—systems that are not designed to meet their long-term needs.
The Human and Fiscal Costs
The mortality rate for people experiencing chronic homelessness is 4 to 9 times higher than that of the general population. They are more likely to die from preventable causes, including untreated chronic illnesses, exposure to the elements, and suicide.
The financial costs are also staggering. Studies estimate that each person experiencing chronic homelessness costs taxpayers between $30,000 and $50,000 annually due to their repeated reliance on emergency healthcare, public safety systems, and crisis services—without improving health outcomes or housing stability.
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Supportive Housing: A Proven Solution
Permanent supportive housing—like the model used by Housing and Services, Inc. (HSI)—breaks this cycle. By pairing safe, stable housing with on-site services tailored to individuals’ needs, we reduce costly hospitalizations, emergency service use, and incarceration. Just as importantly, we help people regain control of their lives.
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Ending chronic homelessness is not just a moral imperative—it’s a smart, cost-effective public health strategy.​
58% of those who have found refuge in HSI were once chronically homeless. Now, 100% of them have stable housing along with the essential support they need.