Every year 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States, making up about 50 percent of the homeless population over the course of the year. In rural areas, homeless families are often overlooked. While some are literally homeless, the majority are living in overcrowded, substandard living situations. These are the families that Bethel House serves.

Studies show that the rural homeless are more likely than urban homeless to be white families and single mothers with children, working, and homeless for the first time. The reasons most often cited for causing homelessness for this population are: financial problems, eviction, family breakup, and disability.