According to the latest data collected by the City of Cambridge, there are about 550 people experiencing homeless in Cambridge at any given time.

30% of these are families living in emergency shelters or transitional housing.

Another 20% are individuals who are experiencing homeless only temporarily, often as a result of transitions in employment that caused them to miss paychecks and be unable to make rent.

Then, about 50% are individuals who are “chronically” homeless, meaning that they have experienced homelessness for at least a year. Many of the chronically homeless men and women in Cambridge have been on the streets for decades due to serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or physical disabilities.

Additionally, because Cambridge is a major hub for resources, many individuals experiencing homelessness in the neighboring cities of Somerville, Medford, and Arlington make their way here throughout the week to access these resources.