According to Wikipedia the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeless), homeless people can be called vagrant, tramp, hobo, bum, bagman/bagwoman, sturdy beggar, or the wandering poor. The term homeless is still the undisputed choice of term to use. There are certain factors that can put a person at risk of being homeless such as poverty, civilian during war, genocide survivors, serious mental illness and disability, foster care background, escaping domestic abuse, prison discharge, drug or alcohol misuse, and military veterans. Income inequality, high cost of housing, lack of living wage jobs, natural disaster, and personal choice are some of the reason for homelessness. (Wikipedia) There is a verity of places that homeless people tend to sleep in such as outside, in a car, park, airport, bus station, abandon building, shelters, or hotel lobby.

Here are some statistics for homeless people in different country according to Wikipedia.
European Union: 3,000,000 (UN-HABITAT 2004)
England: 10,459 rough sleepers, 98,750 households in temporary accommodation (Department for Communities and Local Government 2005)
Canada: 150,000 (National Homelessness Initiative - Government of Canada)
Australia: 99,000 (ABS: 2001 Census)
United States: Chronically homeless people (those with repeated episodes or who have been homeless for long periods) 150,000-200,000 (some sources say 847,000-3,470,000)
Japan: 20,000-100,000 (some figures put it at 200,000-400,000)

Here are some more numbers from Wikipedia in a different article for the homeless statistics in the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness_in_the_United_States).

As many as 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year (1% of the entire U.S. population or 10% of its poor), and about 842,000 people on any given day.

Familial composition
40% are families with children—the fastest growing segment.
41% are single males.
14% are single females.
5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.
1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18.

Ethnicity
49% are African American (compared to 11% of general population).
35% are Caucasian (compared to 75% of general population).
13% are Hispanic (compared to 10% of general population).
2% are Native American (compared to 1% of general population).
1% are Asian-American (compared to 3% of general population).

Health-concerns
22% are considered to have serious mental illnesses, or are disabled.
30% have substance abuse problems.
3% report having HIV/AIDS.
26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted infections.
46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer.
55% report having no health insurance (compared to 16% of general population).
58% report having trouble getting enough food to eat.

Backgrounds
23% are veterans (compared to 13% of general population).
25% were physically or [sexual abuse|sexually abused] as children.
27% were in foster care or similar institutions as children.
21% were homeless at some point during their childhood.
54% were incarcerated at some point in their lives.

Education
38% have less than a High School diploma.
34% have a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
28% have more than a High School education.

Employment
44% report having worked in the past week.
13% have regular jobs.
50% receive less than $300 per month as income.

Location
71% reside in central cities.
21% are in suburbs.
9% are in rural areas.

Duration
80% of those who experience homelessness do so for less than 3 weeks. They typically have more personal, social, or economic resources to draw upon.
10% are homeless for up to two months. They cite lack of available or affordable housing as responsible for the delay.
10% are so called “chronic” and remain without housing for extended periods of time on a frequent basis. They typically struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, or both.
Somewhat different data seem to be presented in the full demographics reported in the 1996 NSHAPC survey which include:

Family status
61% Single men
15% Single women
12.2% Women with children
4.6% Other women
5.3% Other men
2.3% Men with children

Racial demographics of head of household
41% White, non-Hispanic
40% Black, non-Hispanic
11% Hispanic
8% Native American
1% Other

Length of current homeless period
5% Less than one week
8% Greater than one week, less than one month
15% One to three months
11% Four to six months
15% Seven to twelve months
16% Thirteen to twenty four months
10% Twenty-five to sixty months
20% Five or more years

Lifetime self-reported alcohol, drug and mental health problems
62% Alcohol
58% Drug
57% Mental health
27% Mental health and alcohol or drug (dual diagnosed)

Here are some more facts according to the City of New Orleans web site regarding the homeless, (http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=48&tabid=6).
In New Orleans Approximately:
33% are families; most being women with children
30% have jobs: part time; seasonal; minimum wage
23% have a chronic mental illness
50% have substance abuse problems
85% are natives of Louisiana, 15% are non-natives
Less than 10% of the homeless population is homeless by choice or “hard core” homeless.
What Is The Health Care For The Homeless Program (H.C.H.P.)?
The H.C.H.P. is a comprehensive program of services for the homeless in the New Orleans area. Operated by the New Orleans Health Department.

The H.C.H.P. is funded by a Federal grant through the 1987 Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, and the city of New Orleans. It is the only health care for the homeless program in the state of Louisiana.

The H.C.H.P. offers primary medical care, case management, mental health, and substance abuse services to the homeless in the greater New Orleans area.

On-Site Services Include:
Physical exams, medical diagnosis and treatment
Medications, x-rays and lab tests
T.B. tests
Immunizations
Dental
HIV testing/counseling
Health education
Mental illness diagnosis and treatment
Substance abuse treatment
Case Management
Outreach

Supported Referrals:
Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis Treatment (E.P.S.D.T.)
Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C.)
Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat (St. Thomas)
Entitlement Enrollment
All patients benefit from the HCHP’s affiliation with the Multi-Service Center for the Homeless (MSCH) provides basic need services such as: food, clothing, showers, laundry, storage, mail and telephone access. The MSCH also provides supportive services such as: transitional and permanent housing, job search, remedial education, individual and group counseling, and entitlement assistance.

Together, the HCHP and the MSCH provide a holistic, multi-disciplinary team approach to the complex problems facing homeless individuals and families in the New Orleans area.

Rights Of The Homeless
to be treated with respect
to receive adequate health care
to have basic needs met such as: food, clothing and shelter
to receive supportive care during the transition out of homelessness

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