#homesless

I haven't made this post yet because I've been wallowing in my depression and I've just felt generally ashamed for all of this. But I'm homeless, I have been for a month now, and I have been couch surfing while I'm trying to find a more permenant solution. The most stable solution at the moment is staying with a friend in a different state. I need money to be able to get there, but there was a charge on my bank account that put me in debt 50+ dollars.

Probably the clinical rotation I was least looking forward to was populations and public health nursing. I had volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic in the past and while the experience taught me much, I was afraid there was nothing more for me to learn. After 14 weeks, I was heavily proven wrong. 

USA

January 2024 statistics state that there were approximately 771,480 homeless people in the United States. This is an 18% increase between year 2023 to year 2024. The rise is attributed to multiple factors such as lack of affordable housing and 'economic struggles'.

It is stated that there were approximately 67 million Americans are receiving welfare benefits in year 2024. This is about 20.2% of the population of the United States. The figure of 67 million people includes Welfare Programs as such as The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other welfare programs.

UK

It is stated that there were approximately 354,000 people homeless in England year 2024. This figure includes 161,500 children. The figure is a significant increase in homelessness, with reports stating that there were 12,300 rough sleepers and households in temporary accommodation reported in year 2024. The rise in homelessness is attributed to various factors including inadequate support systems and rising housing costs. August 2024 statistics state that there were approximately 24 million claiming form of or combination of State Welfare benefits from the U.K's Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This figure includes around 13 million 10 million working-age claimants and those in receipt of the UK's older adult benefit of State Pension.

Germany

In 2023 the number of homeless individuals in Germany was around 532,000 according to a government reporting. This figure represents a significant increase from previous years and highlights the ongoing homelessness crisis in Germany. In February 2025 it was stated that approximately 3.97 million people in Germany were eligible for benefits, and capable of working, while living in benefit communities under the German Social Code (SGB) II.

France

In France between years 2017 to 2024 the number of homeless people stagnated at 143,000 until 2020, but then reached 350,000 individuals in 2024. It is reported that in France there are approximately 11 million beneficiaries of the Caisse des Allocations Familiales (CAF), which is the state funded welfare benefit that provides various family social allowances. In addition to this figure, approximately six million people have been affected by recent changes in the French social security system, that includes benefits for certain groups like RSA (Revenu de Solidarité Active) and prime d’activité.

Canada

The estimated number of homeless people in Canada ranges between 150,000 to 300,000. On any given night, there are approximately 30,000 to 35,000 individuals are homeless across Canada. With around 10,418 individuals reported as homeless, Toronto has the highest concentration of homeless people. In year 2024, 98 per cent of households tracked remained below Canada's poverty line. In addition, 73 per cent of households tracked were living in what is stated as "deep poverty" (this being defined as households having incomes below 75 per cent of the poverty threshold). It is stated that 5% of all Canadians rely on some form of federal or provincial assistance. In Ontario there are approximately 500,000 people on welfare benefits.

Australia

From data collected from the Australian 2021 Census, it was estimated that more than 122,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Australia. This figure includes various demographics, with a significant portion being young adults and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. More recent data indicates that 37,779 people experienced persistent homelessness in 2023-24, reflecting ongoing challenges in housing.

Homeless people can now camp in public parking spots indefinitely. If you hit a homeless person with your car, they now own your house(s) and car.