When people hear the word "homeless," they automatically think of an older white male. This was more accurate in the past, but the statistics are increasingly changing. Single men may make up 44 percent of the homeless, but single women comprise 13 percent, parent(s) with their children, 36 percent, and youth and young adults under 21 without a parent, 7 percent. The homeless victims include 50 percent African-American, 35 percent white, 12 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Native American and 1 percent Asian. Every year the number of families that live in homeless shelters rises.

There are many resources available in almost every city to help people find temporary shelters but many of us don't know where to begin. If you don't know how or where to find a local shelter, use the pick list below. This should point you in the right direction for finding a place.