Philadelphia Homeless Population Totals 5,100 in 2026

The city reports a 6% decrease in its total unhoused population compared to the 2025 Point in Time count.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stylized brick rowhouse, representing the urban geography of Philadelphia's homelessness data report. — Philadelphia's unhoused population decreased by 6% in 2026 to 5,100, though figures remain 15.6% higher than five years ago. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Data from 2026 shows that Philadelphia has 5,100 people experiencing homelessness, marking a 6% decline since 2025. Despite this annual drop, the city's total unhoused population has grown by 15.6% over the last five years.

Why it matters

Understanding these shifts highlights how changes in law enforcement and neighborhood-specific interventions influence where unhoused residents relocate within the city. The figures offer a clearer picture of how homeless populations are dispersing across urban districts.

The 2026 count confirms 5,100 individuals are unhoused, down 6% from the 2025 baseline despite a 15.6% rise over the last five years. While total numbers dropped, more than 700 people remain living on city streets.

The details

While the number of people living in shelters has risen since 2025, the number of individuals sleeping on streets has declined. Population shifts show increases in Center City and Northeast Philadelphia, contrasted by a decrease in Kensington, which still holds 30% of the city's unhoused population.

2021-2026: The city's total unhoused population grew by 15.6%.
2025: The city established its Point in Time count baseline.
2026: The city recorded 5,100 individuals experiencing homelessness.

Macro View

This data update follows the framework set by the 2025 Philadelphia Point in Time count to measure longitudinal housing instability. The current figures track alongside broader trends in urban displacement and the impact of localized law enforcement strategies.

Residents may notice changes in visible homelessness in neighborhoods like Center City and Northeast Philadelphia as individuals relocate from other areas. These shifts in population density can influence local community resource allocation and public space usage.

The takeaway

The decline in Kensington suggests that targeted law enforcement actions influence where individuals without housing congregate. Residents should monitor how these migration patterns affect social service demands in their specific neighborhoods.