Illustrating the State of Homelessness in the U.S.

Words and pictures haven't ended homelessness in the United States, but they can help people understand how widespread and deep the challenge is.

1 minute read

January 9, 2017, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Homeless Camp

pisaphotography / Shutterstock

A data visualization by Michael Fitzgerald for Pacific Standard illustrated the "United States of Homeless."

Among the startling figures featured in the infographic:

  • 564,708 homeless people were counted on streets and in shelters in early 2015.
  • 22.6 percent of homeless people are under the age of 18.
  • 40 percent of the homeless population counted in 2015 were African American.

The centerpiece of the infographic is a map that shows the number of homeless people living in each state. 

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in Pacific Standard

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Single-Family Housing Construction

Understanding Affordable Housing Lingo

20 key terms in the affordable housing discussion.

45 minutes ago - Multi-Housing News

Close-up of hand holding charging cable moving toward charging port on electric car.

Undoing Biden's EV Rule

The partisan divide over how government should reduce greenhouse gas emissions was on full display after the Biden administration finalized its emissions standards rule for light and medium duty vehicles on March 20.

1 hour ago - Office of U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan

Aerial view of high-rise buildings on waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Moves Zoning Reform Forward

The ‘Squares + Streets’ plan creates form-based zoning templates for neighborhoods that promote mixed use and denser housing near transit.

2 hours ago - The National Law Review

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.