Homelessness is an issue that far 
too many people face.
People of color - specifically Black people,
other person(s) of color, and Indigenous people
- experience homelessness in a dramatically
different way than their White counterparts.
People who hold multiple identities – such
as those who live at the intersections of
disability, immigration status, sexual orientation,
gender identity, and more –
experience compounded barriers that further 
homelessness and housing instability.
A recent study found that 66% of people experiencing
homelessness were Black, while 28% were White.
Black individuals are only 13% 
of the U.S. general population
compared to 74% of those who are white.
Rates of homelessness within Native communities
are three to eight times higher than that
of the general population.
In total, 78% of people experiencing homelessness
identified as people of color.
This overrepresentation of Indigenous, Black
and other people of color experiencing homelessness
cannot be explained by poverty or identity alone.
Structural racism – historical policies,
institutional practices, and cultural narratives
that perpetuate racial inequity-- put people
of color at a disadvantage in obtaining safe
and affordable housing.
Statistically, women of color are much more
likely to experience domestic and sexual violence
and survivors often face “network impoverishment.”
Network impoverishment: occurs when the addition
of a financially distressed household member
places an extra strain on family resources.
Often times, we tell a survivor experiencing
homelessness to go to a relative or friend's house;
however, network impoverishment can
cause immense burdens on the existing limited
finances and available support from that network.
Racial disparities arise at every juncture
- from the legal system, to housing, to healthcare,
to child welfare, to public benefits.
Understanding the intersections between domestic
and sexual violence, racism, and homelessness
and applying an equity survivor-centered lens
in our work is the only pathway to stability,
safe housing, and healing for all survivors.
If we want to address racial inequity, we
have to acknowledge it, learn about it, and
talk about it, so we can “do” more about
it, together.
to learn more, visit safe housing partnerships dot org
