Disparities in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Homeless Populations in the El Paso, TX region

This article compares Hispanic and non-Hispanic homeless populations in El Paso, Texas. Surveys were collected in “traditional homeless spaces” as well as in non-traditional spaces where Hispanics may be more heavily represented. Snowball techniques were also used to find and survey marginally housed individuals. Despite these improvements to typical homeless counts, this study finds Hispanics to be underrepresented when compared with the general population of El Paso, which is 80.7% Hispanic. Of the 678 individuals who answered the survey, 670 reported their race or ethnicity, of which 445 (66%) were Hispanic and 225 (34%) were non-Hispanic. Comparisons were made between the two populations’ experiences and characteristics, and many disparities were found. Researchers, policy makers, and practitioners should keep these differences in mind when designing policies to address homelessness.