Homeless families on the border: A demographic profile

The southwestern borderland region of the United States is characterized by a large immigrant population, high levels of poverty, high unemployment rates, and a growing number of homeless families. In order to assist these families it is necessary to gain information about the demographics and service needs of this population. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of homeless families in El Paso using the “point in time” technique. Face to face interviews were conducted with 95 homeless families. The data was compared to information on homeless families presented in Ten Cities, 1997-1998: A Snapshot of Family Homelessness Across America as well as to demographic characteristics of domiciled families in El Paso. What emerges is the unique profile of the homeless family in this southwestern city.