Turning evidence into action to prevent and end homelessness 

The UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) provides accurate, timely, policy-oriented research about homelessness for local, state, and national policymakers and practitioners.

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181,000+
Californians experience homelessness daily
68%
of homeless Californians are unsheltered
7,754
people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco
21%
of homeless people across the US are older than 55
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Towards a New Understanding

Groundbreaking BHHI Study

The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness

The UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) has released the largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid-1990s, providing a comprehensive look at the causes and consequences of homelessness in California and recommending policy changes to shape programs in response. 

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Toward Equity: Latine Experiences of Homelessness

New Report

Latine Californians' Experiences of Homelessness

Latine Californians represent more than one-third of the state's homeless population. Yet their experiences are too often left out of research, policy, and service design. Our latest report, based on the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH), examines who experiences homelessness in the Latine community, their experiences while homeless, and offers research-backed policy and program solutions.

Featured Content

Our Research
Illicit Substance Use and Treatment Access Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness
JAMA
February 19, 2025
Most people experiencing homelessness in California are not regular drug users — and for some, substance use begins or worsens after losing housing. Some use drugs to stay awake and safe, coping with ...
Our Research
“Everybody out there in the real world is one paycheck away from being homeless”: job loss and housing precarity among people experiencing homelessness
August 19, 2025
The United States has fewer labor protections and wage guarantees than most wealthy nations, leaving many workers vulnerable to economic hardship from job loss, reduced hours, or work-related injuries...
Our Research
Health Care Access and Use Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness
May 23, 2025
Californians experiencing homelessness have poor health, struggle to access care, and face high ER and hospitalization rates—despite high rates of insurance. In this cross-sectional, representative...
Videos
Webinar: Behavioral Health & Homelessness: Findings from CASPEH
March 20, 2025
Homelessness and behavioral health issues (mental health and substance use) are intertwined. The UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative held a webinar about this complex bidirectional relation...
Videos
Webinar: Latine Californians' Experiences of Homelessness
May 20, 2025
Latine Californians represent more than one-third of the state's homeless population. Yet their experiences are too often left out of research, policy, and service design. The UCSF Benioff Homeles...
Videos
Webinar: Unsheltered Homelessness: A Solutions Oriented Approach
September 25, 2024
Most people experiencing homelessness in California do so in unsheltered settings, such as outdoors or in vehicles. This webinar is about the causes and consequences of unsheltered homelessness. Margo...

"There is no medicine as powerful as housing."

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MargotKushelMD UCSF BHHI.jpeg
Margot Kushel, MD
Director, UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative

"The gravest threats to health are due to poverty, discrimination, and particularly homelessness. Here at UCSF, many dedicated researchers have devoted their careers to addressing these health inequities. The Benioffs’ continued leadership on these issues, exemplified by this generous gift, will further energize our efforts, and strengthen our links to communities in need at the local, state and national levels."

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Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor, University of California, San Francisco

"The world needs a North Star for truth on homelessness. The UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative will be that North Star, providing the latest research, data, and evidence-based solutions to ensure we’re investing in programs that will help solve the homelessness crisis."

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Marc Benioff
Marc Benioff