Impactveteran homelessnesshomeless veteransus vets

5 Ways To Help Homeless People Living On America's Streets

5 Ways To Help Homeless People
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By 

Business Reporter, HuffPost

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The number of homeless people in the U.S. remained steady last year, underscoring just how much work needs to be done to actually lower the number of people living on the streets.

According to a recent Housing and Urban Development report, an estimated 633,782 people are homeless in the U.S. When the agency conducted its homeless count in 2011, it found that 636,000 were living on the streets and in shelters, the Associated Press reports. While the report contains some more heartening figures -- for example, the number of homeless veterans dropped by about 7 percent from the year before -- advocates aren't hopeful veteran homelessness will be eliminated by 2015, as the Obama administration projects.

To help empower homeless people, and bring an end to homelessness, consider getting involved in the following advocacy initiatives:

1. Bring Comfort To Homeless Kids
To offer homeless children the comforts every young kid deserves at bedtime, Project Night Night fills up totes with a cozy blanket, a children's book and a stuffed animal. The 25,000 care packages the nonprofit doles out each year aim to ease the psychological trauma homeless children suffer, while also promoting reading and family bonding. Find out how you can get involved with Project Night Night here.

2. Feed Homeless Pets
An estimated 5 to 10 percent of homeless people keep cats or dogs, which many rely on for companionship and protection. To help those who are struggling to find shelter and food for themselves, and their furry best friends, consider getting involved with Pets of the Homeless. This nonprofit brings pet food and veterinary care to those in need. Find out how you can pitch in or make a monetary donationhere.

3. Help Homeless Vets
In its continued effort to end veteran homelessness by 2015, the Department of Veteran Affairs pledged $100 million in grants in July to local organizations nationwide that aid low-income veterans and their families. One nonprofit that’s helping to empower former servicemen and servicewomen is U.S. Vets, an organization that in the course of one year helped 3,000 veterans find housing and more than 1,000 veterans obtain full-time employment. Find out how you can get involved with U.S. Vets here.

4. Give Homeless People A Voice
To put a face to the plight of the homeless in this country, video blog Invisible People documents the day-to-day struggles that come from living without shelter. Founder Mark Horvath, who once lived on the streets of California, aims to use his storytelling platform to make homeless people visible and inspire advocates to take action. Find out how you can get involved here.

5. Get The Government Involved
The National Coalition for the Homeless provides advocacy programs and pushes public policy initiatives with the goal of ending homelessness and protecting homeless people’s rights. The organization's main policy focus is its Bring America Home Act, which would serve as the federal government’s first comprehensive response to the causes and consequences of homelessness. Learn how to get involved here.

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Before You Go

States With Highest Child Homelessness
Georgia(01 of10)
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- Georgia reported 45,566 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Georgia requires a $15.18 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 8.9 percent of the state's population- 9.9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 20 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: seanmorgan)
#9 Florida(02 of10)
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- Florida reported 83,957 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Florida requires a $20.29 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population- 14.2 percent of children are living without health insurance - 18 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: Phillip Pessar)
#8 Nevada(03 of10)
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- Nevada reported 15,243 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.55 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Nevada requires a $19.32 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7 percent of the state's population- 17.5 percent of children are living without health insurance - 15 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: AlishaV)
#7 Louisiana (04 of10)
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- Louisiana reported 43,488 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Louisiana requires a $15.11 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 9.3 percent of the state's population- 9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 26 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Max Wolfe)
#6 New Mexico(05 of10)
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- New Mexico reported 16,262 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.50 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in New Mexico requires a $13.42 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population- 13.7 percent of children are living without health insurance - 25 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Justin Brockie)
#5 California(06 of10)
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- California reported 334,131 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $8 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in California requires a $25.52 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population- 10.7 percent of children are living without health insurance - 18 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: JoeInSouthernCA)
#4 Arizona(07 of10)
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- Arizona reported 53,129 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arizona requires a $17 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population- 15 percent of children are living without health insurance - 21 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Phillie Casablanca)
#3 Arkansas(08 of10)
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- Arkansas reported 13,978 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arkansas requires a $11.50 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.7 percent of the state's population- 7.4 percent of children are living without health insurance - 25 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: pasa47)
#2 Mississippi(09 of10)
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- Mississippi reported 12,929 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Mississippi requires a $12.74 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 10 percent of the state's population- 13.4 percent of children are living without health insurance - 30 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: davidwilson1949)
#1 Alabama(10 of10)
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- Alabama reported 28,081 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Alabama requires a $12.59 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 8.1 percent of the state's population- 8.9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 24 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Max Wolfe)
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