Updated January 2025.
Homelessness in the United States does not affect all populations equally. Data reveals significant racial disparities, with minority groups, particularly African Americans and Indigenous people, experiencing homelessness at alarmingly higher rates than White individuals. This disparity is not accidental; it is a direct consequence of long-standing historical and structural racism ingrained within American society.
The most pronounced imbalance is evident within the African American community. Despite representing only 13 percent of the general population, African Americans constitute a staggering 36.6 percent of the homeless population. Furthermore, they account for over 37 percent of homeless families with children. This profound disproportion has persisted, showing no signs of improvement over time.
The Root Causes of Racial Disparities in Homelessness
The disproportionate rates of homelessness among African Americans and other minority groups are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of deeper systemic issues rooted in historical and ongoing racial inequity. Understanding Why Are People Black overrepresented in homelessness requires examining these fundamental causes.
From the era of slavery to the era of segregation, African Americans have been systematically denied basic rights and equitable socioeconomic opportunities. Indigenous and Latinx communities share similar histories of oppression and marginalization. The overrepresentation in homelessness is a direct outcome of this systemic inequity. The enduring effects of racism continue to fuel disparities in critical areas that significantly impact homelessness rates.
Poverty as a Key Factor
Poverty, and especially deep poverty, is a powerful predictor of homelessness. Black and Latinx populations are disproportionately represented in poverty compared to their overall population percentages. They are also more likely to experience deep poverty, with rates of 10.8% and 7.6% respectively. [1] This economic vulnerability makes these communities far more susceptible to homelessness when faced with job loss, health crises, or housing instability.
Poverty Graph showing population by age
The Impact of Segregation and Housing Discrimination
Redlining, a discriminatory housing policy implemented and supported by the federal government for decades, is a foundational cause of the existing wealth gap between White households and households of color. Redlining systematically discouraged economic investment, including mortgage and business loans, in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods. This historical practice has had lasting and devastating consequences.
The repercussions of redlining are still deeply felt today. African Americans are more likely to reside in areas of concentrated poverty[2] or in neighborhoods burdened by environmental hazards. These communities often suffer from limited access to quality healthcare, essential services, nutritious food, and viable economic opportunities. Individuals who become homeless frequently originate from these disadvantaged neighborhoods.
For many minority groups, moving to neighborhoods offering lower crime rates, cleaner environments, and better access to services is often fraught with obstacles. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)[3] revealed pervasive racial discrimination in housing. People of color were routinely shown fewer available rental properties and were more frequently denied leases compared to White applicants. Conversely, White individuals were often offered lower rents, and move-in costs like deposits were presented as “negotiable,” making it easier for them to secure housing. This ongoing discrimination in the rental market further exacerbates housing instability for people of color.
Incarceration and its Link to Homelessness
Racial disparity within the criminal justice system is another critical factor fueling homelessness. The incarceration rate for African Americans has alarmingly tripled between 1968 and 2016 and is currently more than six times higher than the rate for White individuals.[4] These racial disparities are not random occurrences. Black and Brown individuals are disproportionately targeted, profiled, and arrested for minor offenses, especially in high-poverty areas.
The consequences of overcriminalization are far-reaching and devastating. A criminal record can severely hinder an individual’s ability to pass background checks required for securing both housing and employment. People being released from jails and prisons often encounter significant barriers in accessing safe and affordable housing, resulting in a high rate of homelessness within this population. The cycle of incarceration and homelessness disproportionately impacts communities of color.
Unequal Access to Quality Health Care
People of color are significantly more likely to lack adequate health insurance compared to White individuals, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage. Even with expansion, approximately 30 million people remain uninsured, with about half being people of color.
The lack of health insurance for individuals with chronic medical conditions and/or untreated serious mental illness drastically increases their risk of becoming homeless or experiencing housing instability. For example, people with mental health disabilities are vastly overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness. Of the more than 771,480 people experiencing homelessness on a given night in America in 2024, nearly 1 in 5 had a behavioral health issue. While the prevalence of serious mental illness may not vary significantly across racial groups, studies indicate that African Americans face greater obstacles in accessing mental health treatment. This disparity in access to healthcare further contributes to the cycle of homelessness within communities of color.
Addressing Racial Inequity in Homelessness Response
Meaningfully addressing and ultimately ending homelessness in the United States necessitates a direct confrontation with the systemic racial inequity that fuels it. This requires a multi-faceted approach that prioritizes ensuring affordable, stable housing for all. Systems, programs, and individual service providers working with people experiencing homelessness must actively monitor their outcomes to identify and eliminate disparities in service delivery. This includes culturally competent and equitable approaches to outreach, prevention, and housing assistance.
Racial Equity Resources
To further explore this critical issue and contribute to solutions, numerous resources are available. These resources offer valuable data, practical tools, and advocacy materials aimed at fostering a more equitable system.
View the Resources
[1] https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/09/poverty-rates-for-blacks-and-hispanics-reached-historic-lows-in-2019.html https://poverty.ucdavis.edu/faq/what-deep-poverty
[2] Jones, Janelle, John Schmitt, and Valerie Wilson. “50 years after the Kerner Commission: African Americans are better off in many ways but are still disadvantaged by racial inequality,” Economic Policy Institute. 2018
[3] “Housing Discrimination against Racial and Ethnic Minorities 2012,” HUD. 2013
[4] Jones, Janelle, John Schmitt, and Valerie Wilson. “50 years after the Kerner Commission: African Americans are better off in many ways but are still disadvantaged by racial inequality,” Economic Policy Institute. 2018. https://www.vera.org/downloads/publications/for-the-record-unjust-burden-racial-disparities.pdf
