The homeless population in Arkansas has increased by nine percent from 2017 to 2018, jumping from 2,467 to 2,712. To contrast, the homeless population in Arkansas only grew 1 percent in 2016 to 2017.
In addition, 53 percent of the homeless population in Arkansas do not stay in shelters. Shelters often provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation, job counseling, food and other services for homeless people, as well as protection from extreme weather.
Of the homeless population, 432 are families with children, 240 are youths on their own, and 251 are veterans. 2,280 are individuals.
Little Rock has one of the highest rates of family homelessness compared to similarly sized cities. 131 of homeless families with children reside in Little Rock.
In October, an emergency homeless shelter in Little Rock closed under increasing costs of operation. As the weather turns colder, costs at shelters more than double by some reports.
The increase was presented to Congress in a federal report called the Homeless Assessment Report. The report is prepared by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
