One-Fifth of Homeless Have Mental Illness or Substance Abuse Problems

OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News United States cities reporting on the demand for emergency food and shelter assistance in 2006 said that 16% of those requesting emergency shelter were mentally ill and that 26% had substance abuse disorders. Mental illness was a leading cause of homelessness and lack of affordable housing was a key factor in continued homelessness. Most cities surveyed (95%) have developed plans to end chronic homelessness. About 25% of cities with a plan said there were fewer homeless individuals living on the streets. These are findings of a report entitled . . .