The US Department of Housing and Urban Development released a state-by-state summary of homelessness in America.
Overall, Oregon saw high homelessness in a number of categories, as compared to other states.
From 2020-2022, Oregon logged an increase of 22.5% in those experiencing homelessness. The report stated that 42.3 in every 10,000 people in the state were homeless. An estimated 17,959 individual Oregonian’s are homeless. 3,373 people in families with children were estimated to be homeless. Shockingly, the report estimated that 1,066 unaccompanied youth were homeless in the state during that timeframe. 1,460 veterans were estimated to be homeless, while 6,447 individuals experienced chronic homelessness. Out of all those considered homeless, 61.7% (11,088) were unsheltered.
Oregon overall, has the United States’ 4th largest percentage of people experiencing homelessness who are unsheltered.
The Eugene/Springfield/Lane County region has the second largest number of people (2,880) experiencing homelessness in the Other Largely Urban category. Only the Santa Rosa/Sonoma County region has more homeless (2,893) in the category. The Eugene/Springfield area also saw the third highest percentage of unsheltered individuals (73.1%) in their respective category.
Oregon had the highest percentage in the United States, for homeless families with children who are unsheltered (59% of homeless families are unsheltered).
The Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County area was second in the nation in people with families experiencing homelessness, with 668 people. 67.8% of those in that group were considered unsheltered.
The Eugene/Springfield/Lane County area had the highest number of people (579), in America, with families that were unsheltered in their category. The area also has the highest percentage in their category at 84.3%, of homeless families being unsheltered.
Some areas of Oregon have been hit especially hard by youth homelessness. The Eugene/Springfield area had the fourth highest number (100) and percentage unsheltered (32%) of unaccompanied youth in the US. Central Oregon had the fifth highest number (103) and unsheltered percentage (73.8%) of unaccompanied homeless youth in the Largely Rural category.
The Eugene/Springfield area also has the second highest category number (283) of homeless veterans in the nation. With 71% of those individuals being unsheltered.
In the Other Largely Urban category for those experiencing chronic homelessness, the Eugene/Springfield area has the highest number overall (1,169) people. While in the Major City category, the Portland area had the nations fifth highest number (2,970) of people who were considered chronically homeless.
Nationally, Mississippi had the lowest percentage of homeless per 10,000 people at 4.1%. The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of those experiencing homelessness at 65.8 out of 10,000 people.
Source: 2022 USDHUD AHAR to Congress
