Are 40% of homeless people veterans? | Fact brief

Far less than 40% of all homeless people, both nationally and in Maine, were veterans as of the most recent available count.

The December 2024 national point-in-time survey tallied 771,480 homeless people, of whom 32,882 were veterans — about 4.3% — according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Maine’s latest point-in-time survey, conducted in January 2024, counted 2,695 homeless people, among whom 115 were veterans — also 4.3% — the Maine State Housing Authority reported.

Nationally, veterans are the only group that has experienced a decline in homelessness since HUD began conducting point-in-time surveys in 2009. The number of homeless veterans fell by 55% over that 15-year period, and by 8% from 2023 to 2024 alone.

But the homeless population of all other groups increased nationally from 2023 to 2024, including families with children (39%) and unaccompanied youth (10%). The nation’s total homeless population grew by 18% year over year.