Demographic Facts: Residents Living in Public Housing
August 2025
This comprehensive report provides current demographic data on the 6.8 million Americans who rely on public housing assistance, including 1.6 million traditional public housing residents and 5.2 million Housing Choice Voucher recipients. Based on the latest HUD data, the report examines household composition, income levels, health challenges, and geographic distribution, revealing that many households are headed by seniors or are single-adult families with children, with most residents falling well below the federal poverty line.
This resource is essential for healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, and community advocates working to address health disparities and improve services for public housing residents. The data highlights critical barriers to health and wellness, including safety concerns that limit outdoor activities and poor access to healthcare and quality food in isolated public housing locations.