The extent of homelessness can be an indicator of a community's ability to provide stable jobs that pay a living wage as well as measures of support for the unemployed and access to affordable housing and health care. Homelessness is related to larger issues such as poverty, employment, mental health, substance abuse, and family violence. The way a community cares for its more vulnerable citizens is a marker of collaboration and its social support systems.

In 2020, Westchester counted 856 homeless males and 825 homeless females, for a rate of 18 males and 16 females per 10,000 residents.

Westchester's rates for both males and females were well below statewide and national rates, and the 2-point disparity between males and females in Westchester was significantly less than the 10-point disparity at the state level with rates of 53 males and 42 females per 100,000 residents. Rates of homelessness among males in Westchester declined 10% from 2015 to 2020 while it increased 7% statewide. The rates for females remained flat in both Westchester and the state during this same time period.

Westchester's homeless rates for both males and females were higher than Nassau, Suffolk County and Rockland County.

Figures represent point-in-time counts. It is very difficult to obtain an exact count of homeless persons, due to transience and to limited resources for record-keeping. Comparable data presented for available counties are currently limited to point-in-time counts done on one night in January. Data are not available for Putnam County, and Nassau and Suffolk data are combined in the available data.