Homelessness used to be a silent and underrepresented issue in the United States. However, with each passing year, research provides policymakers and communities with more information to combat homelessness.

In a broad sense, the most frequently cited cause of homelessness is the widening gap between income and the cost of housing. This problem is perpetuated by limited amounts of housing assistance. Other more specific factors, such as mental illness, chronic health conditions, substance abuse, and the debilitating effects of trauma, also contribute to creating a constellation of factors responsible for the presence of homelessness in America.

On any given night, over 6,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada, including those on the streets, in parks, shelters, and transitional housing programs. An estimated 16,251 Southern Nevadans, including families, couples, youth, and individuals of all ages, will experience homelessness this year according to the 2023 Southern Nevada Homeless Census and Survey.