How Kansas City Compares: Housing Insecurity by the Numbers
At Open Doors Foundation KC, we see the human side of housing insecurity every day. But behind every story is a bigger picture — one told through numbers that reveal why our work matters, and why our community must keep pushing for change.
Let’s look at how Kansas City compares to national trends — and what these numbers mean for neighbors living on the edge.
Kansas City by the numbers
According to recent data:
Over 1,800 people experience homelessness on any given night in the Kansas City metro.
95.7% of these individuals are unsheltered — living in cars, parks, or abandoned buildings.
About 22% are families with children, and nearly 10% are young people under 25.
How does this compare?
Nationally, the U.S. sees about 18 people per 10,000 experiencing homelessness. In Kansas City, the rate is similar — but unique local challenges deepen the impact:
Rising rents have outpaced wage growth by more than 2:1.
Affordable housing units have decreased, while demand continues to climb.
Kansas City’s eviction rate remains higher than the national average.
The hidden crisis: housing insecurity
Homelessness is the most visible part of a larger issue: housing insecurity. Thousands more Kansas City residents spend over half their income on rent, living one emergency away from losing their homes.
Nationally, nearly one in four renters are in this situation — and Kansas City mirrors these numbers.
Numbers tell a human story
Behind every data point is a person — a neighbor whose life can change in an instant:
A parent skipping meals to keep the lights on
An elder forced from lifelong housing after a rent increase
A young adult aging out of foster care with nowhere to go
At Open Doors, we see these stories every day — and work to turn numbers into new beginnings.
Why data matters
Numbers help us:
Advocate for more low-barrier shelters and affordable housing
Educate the community about root causes, not just symptoms
Show donors and policymakers where help is most needed
Data reminds us that homelessness isn’t inevitable — it’s a solvable challenge that needs coordinated compassion and policy.
Moving forward
While the numbers reveal real challenges, they also highlight hope:
Local partnerships are growing to prevent evictions.
Volunteers and donors are stepping up to meet record demand.
Awareness about low-barrier shelters is increasing.
At Open Doors, we’re committed to turning statistics into stories of hope and resilience — proving that behind every number is a neighbor worth fighting for.
Because change doesn’t start with numbers alone — it starts when we see, care, and act together.
