Every year in January, homeless populations across the U.S. are tallied in the span of a single night as part of an annual point-in-time counting process.
In the three-county Greater Houston area—which encompasses Harris County, Fort Bend County and Montgomery County—the official counting commenced on the night of Jan. 23. The unsheltered population was counted over a several days from Jan. 25-27 in a process that also included a survey.
By the numbers
- 1,242 people were living in a place not meant for human habitation, a decrease from 1,502 people in 2022.
- 2,028 people were staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing or a safe haven, an increase from 1,721 people in 2022.
- The overall unsheltered population decreased by 17% from 2022.
- The overall sheltered count increased by 18% from 2022.
- On the night of the count, Jan. 23, 6,876 people were in permanent supportive housing, and 2,440 were in rapid rehousing.
- While making up only 20% of the population in Houston, people who are Black or African American make up 55% of the population experiencing homelessness.
- 85 homeless encampments have been decommissioned in 2023.
- 57% of those living in decommissioned encampments have gone to the city's new Navigation Center, which opened in February on Jensen Drive.
- Since the Navigation Center opened, 112 people have entered; 57 have left; and 52 of those who have left have been housed.
- Homelessness in Texas has decreased by 36% since 2012.
- More than 28,000 homeless people in Houston have been housed since 2012 through The Way Home initiative.
- 42% said they were experiencing homelessness for the first time, an increase year over year of 40%.
- 33% cited an economic impact, such as job loss, as the primary cause of their homelessness.
- 8% said they were experiencing unsheltered homelessness due to a natural disaster, down from 14% in 2022.
- 9% said they were experiencing homelessness due to COVID-19, down from 13% in 2022.
Data by county
- Harris County: 1,803 sheltered and 1,186 unsheltered
- Fort Bend County: 47 sheltered and 20 unsheltered
- Montgomery County: 178 sheltered and 36 unsheltered
- Sheltered homelessness: a person or family who lacks fixed, adequate housing and is living in a shelter
- Unsheltered homelessness: a person or family who lacks fixed, adequate housing and is living in a place not meant for human habitation, such as a park or an encampment
- Chronic homelessness: a person with a disability who has been either homeless for over a year or has had four or more occasions of homelessness in the last three years
- Rapid rehousing: a housing-first solution to provide housing to people experiencing homelessness as soon as possible
- Permanent supportive housing: a program designed to provide long-term housing to those facing homelessness
