Statistics

-Each year in the City of Albany, between 2000-4000 people are homeless, with several hundred of them sleeping outside on the streets.

-The overwhelming reason why people are homeless is poverty:  lack of a decent minimum wage; a lack of affordable housing; lack of adequate welfare allowances for housing; lack of health insurance; and welfare reform.

-There are women and children who end up homeless; people who work full-time jobs and can't afford housing; runaway and throwaway youth; individuals with a mental illness; and individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol.

-Approximately 1/3 of the homeless population are veterans.

-Homelessness is currently on the rise in historic numbers not ever seen across the country as well as in the Capital Region.  There is a 25% increase over the numbers in 2001 which already was up 25% over 2000.

-HAC's $500,000 annual budget relies heavily on the support of the public through donations.  Over $75,000 must be raised each year in donations!  Over 95% of our annual budget goes directly toward helping the people we serve.