State of Homelessness in America analyzes annual “point-in-time” homelessness counts which take place in January of each year.  The 2009 count found that 656,129 people were homeless –or 21 people per 10,000 people in the general population.  There was an increase in the number of homeless, with about 20,000 more in 2009 compared to 2008.

Thirty-one states reported increases in the number of homeless, with the biggest increase occurring in Louisiana. California had the largest number of homeless people (133,129). The District of Columbia had the highest rate of homelessness (104 per 10,000 people). The report also puts homelessness into the context of changing economics at the state level (e.g., housing cost burden, unemployment, foreclosures and income).

The odds of experiencing homelessness within a given year for people at or below the federal poverty line are estimated to be 1 in 25. Veterans are at the greatest risk of homelessness, with 1 in 10 odds of experiencing homelessness in a given year.  Others at high risk of homelessness are those living doubled up with friends or family, people discharged from prison, and young adults aging out of foster care.