Overview

Who are the homeless in DC?  The city's 2022 point-in-time count of the homeless offered some hopeful news: For the sixth straight year, the number of people experiencing homelessness has declined. The survey found declines in family homelessness (14 percent lower than in 2021) and homeless among single adults (a 12 percent drop from 2021.) In stark numbers, 4,410 people were homeless in the District on the day in January that the count was conducted, down from 8,350 in 2016.

But each of these people has their own story.

“Permanent supportive housing” is widely recognized as the most successful and cost-effective strategy for ending chronic homelessness.

Anne Frank House has employed this approach successfully for more than 30 years—providing permanent housing and social services support for homeless men and women with chronic mental illness.

* Source: Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser. Point-in-Time survey conducted January 26, 2022.