A new survey from the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County and Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is offering a broader look at housing instability across the Houston region.
The study estimates that approximately 141,000 adults experienced temporary homelessness in the Houston area in 2025, highlighting the growing number of residents who face housing challenges that often go uncounted in traditional homelessness data.
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Researchers found that while an estimated 141,000 adults experienced temporary homelessness, only about 36,000 people received services or assistance through the region’s homeless response system.
The survey defines temporary homelessness as people who, at some point during the year, stayed in places not meant for habitation, emergency shelters, transitional housing or temporarily with friends or family because they had nowhere else to go.
According to researchers, rising housing costs are a major factor behind the increase in housing instability. Higher rent, utility bills, homeowners insurance premiums and property taxes have made it more difficult for many households to remain financially stable.
While Harris County accounts for much of the region’s homeless population, the report found housing instability is also growing in surrounding counties, including Fort Bend and Montgomery counties.
Researchers say the findings provide a more comprehensive picture than the annual point-in-time count, which captures homelessness on a single night each year. By surveying residents over a longer period, the study aims to better measure the number of people who experience homelessness or housing instability at any point during the year.
The Coalition for the Homeless and the Kinder Institute say the data can help policymakers and service providers better understand the scope of homelessness in the region and identify where additional resources may be needed as housing costs continue to rise.