In an average week, an estimated 637,000 adults are homeless in America. Of these, about 20 - 25% have serious mental illnesses.
The PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) program is funded by the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and provides funds for services to persons with mental illness who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. The following statistics describe over 77,000 individuals served nationwide by PATH funded organizations in FY 2002:
Age:
- 31% were adults ages 18-34
- 49% were adults ages 35-49
- 31% were adults ages 50-64
Gender:
- 61% of clients were male
- 39% of clients were female
Race/Ethnicity:
- 54% of clients were White
- 33% of clients were African-American
- 9% of clients were of other races
- 9% of clients were of Hispanic origin
At the time of first contact with PATH providers:
- 62% of clients lived on the street or in emergency shelters
- 23% of clients lived in private/subsidized housing
- 15% of clients lived in institutions, jails, residential treatment programs, or other settings
Persons receiving PATH-funded services have some of the most disabling mental disorders. Among clients for whom a diagnosis was made:
- 41% of clients had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- 41% of clients had affective disorders such as depression
- 18% of clients had personality disorders or other mental disorders
- 57% of clients had a co-occurring substance use disorder in addition to a mental illness
See The Clinic for more information on the PATH program.
