Perhaps the most accurate and current data on homelessness in the United States is reported annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR). The AHAR report relies on data from two sources: single-night, point-in-time counts of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations reported on the Continuum of Care applications to HUD; and counts of the sheltered homeless population over a full year provided by a sample of communities based on data in their local Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS). Sample results from the 2010 AHAR The sixth report to Congress, the 2010 AHAR, released in July 2011, reports the following household and demographic information for people that had accessed emergency shelters and transitional housing between October 2009 and September 2010, based on a sampling of HMIS data: Total Number About 1.59 million people were homeless in emergency shelters or transitional housing at some point during the year between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010. The nation’s sheltered homeless population over a year’s time included approximately 1,092,600 individuals (68 percent) and 516,700 persons in families (32 percent). A family is a household that includes an adult 18 years of age or older and at least one child. All other sheltered homeless people are considered individuals. Ethnicity 83.6% are Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino 16.4% are Hispanic/Latino Race 41.6% are White, non-Hispanic/Latino 9.7% are White, Hispanic/Latino 37.0% are Black or African American 4.5% Other Single Race 7.2% Multiple Races Age 21.8% Under age 18 23.5% are 18 to 30 37% are 31 to 50 14.9% are 51 to 61 2.8% are 62 and older Household Size 63.0% are in a 1 person household 10.1% are in a household of 2 people 10.4% are in a household of 3 people 8.1% are in a household of 4 people 8.4% are in a household of 5 or more people Veteran Status 11.6% are veterans 88.4% are not veterans Disability Status (adults only) 36.8% are disabled 63.2% are not disabled Living Situation Prior to Program Entry Already Homeless: 14.1% were in a place not meant for human habitation 25.0% were in emergency shelter From 'Housing', newly homeless: 11.8% were in a rented or owned housing unit 17.6% were staying with family 12.6% were staying with friends From Institutional Settings: 6.4% were in a psychiatric facility, substance abuse center or hospital (nonpsychiatric) 4.4% were in a jail, prison,