HUD Releases Landmark Report On Homelessness

"The nation has three-quarters of a million homeless people, filling emergency shelters through the year and spilling into special seasonal shelters in the coldest months, the government said Wednesday.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated there were 754,000 homeless people in 2005, including those living in shelters, transitional housing and on the street. That's about 300,000 more people than available beds in shelters and transitional housing.

The report is the government's latest attempt to count people who are notoriously difficult to track. The estimate is similar to one by an advocacy group in January.

Among the findings for people in shelters and transitional housing:

- Nearly half were single adult men.

- Nearly a quarter were minors.

- Less than 2 percent were older than 65.

- About 59 percent were members of minority groups.

- About 45 percent were black.

- About a quarter had a disability, though experts said the percentage is probably much higher."