Homelessness in Madison

One of the more devastating experiences for individuals in modern America
is that of being without a home. Each year, roughly 3,500 Madison residents experience homelessness. For many, homelessness is a once-in-a-lifetime crisis; for others it's an ongoing struggle.

Homelessness stems from desperate
poverty combined with unaffordable housing.
Households with incomes below the poverty level account for the vast majority of people entering homelessness. According to the most recent Census data, more than 38%
of renters are under stress because they
are required to pay more than 30% of their income as rent. People are said to be living
in poverty when their income amounts to
less that $9.92 per hour for a full-time job.
In Dane County, the Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom apartment is $772 per month. Because housing is considered affordable when a household spends no more than
30% of the gross household income on housing costs, affording a two bedroom
unit in Dane County would require a full
time job with a pay rate of at least $14.46 per hour.
For many in Madison, this rate is simply out of reach. 

Personal difficulties, such as job loss, divorce, or mental and physical disabilities, increase vulnerability to homelessness, but don't come close
to accounting for the number of people living in homelessness today.