NEW SNAPSHOT SURVEY REVEALS GROWING NEED, EARLIER-STAGE HOMELESSNESS, AND DEEPER COMPLEXITY ACROSS CITYGATE NETWORK MINISTRIES

APRIL 29, 2026 – Citygate Network’s 2026 Snapshot Survey highlights the vital role of gospel-centered ministries in meeting urgent needs and offering pathways toward healing and stability.

Colorado Springs, Colorado — A new national survey from Citygate Network offers a compelling one-day glimpse into the lives of people seeking help through rescue missions and life transformation ministries across North America. In 2026, 21,059 individuals were surveyed across 89 participating ministries, up from 12,849 individuals across 73 ministries in 2025, providing a broader picture of both the scale of the crisis and the growing complexity of the needs ministries are addressing. 

These findings remind us that behind every data point is a person with a story, a struggle, and immeasurable value,” said Citygate Network President/CEO Tom De Vries. “They also highlight the opportunity we have to come alongside people with care that is personal, practical, and rooted in lasting hope.”

Citygate Network’s Annual Snapshot Survey asks member ministries to count and survey individuals utilizing emergency shelter, supportive services, addiction recovery, and residential programs during a single 24-hour period. The survey corresponds loosely with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time Count, while also gathering information especially relevant to faith-based organizations.

This year’s findings show that the needs are both broad and deep. The 2026 data points to a population experiencing somewhat earlier-stage homelessness, reduced access to benefits, significant addiction-related challenges, and continued reliance on ministries as a direct first point of help. 

One of the clearest shifts in the data is that earlier-stage homelessness is more visible. The share of respondents who had been homeless for less than three months rose from 21 percent in 2025 to 30 percent in 2026, while those homeless for more than one year declined from 41 percent to 35 percent. This suggests ministries may be encountering more individuals earlier in their homelessness journey, creating opportunities for intervention before instability becomes more entrenched.

The survey also shows that ministries continue to serve as a highly accessible front door for help. Self-referrals increased from 42 percent in 2025 to 46 percent in 2026, while social service or agency referrals declined from 23 percent to 19 percent. In addition, updated mission visit responses showed that 12 percent of respondents were visiting for the first time, revealing a meaningful stream of new engagement. 

Another notable finding is that benefits access is slipping. The share of respondents who reported currently having benefits dropped from 71 percent in 2025 to 59 percent in 2026, while those without benefits rose from 19 percent to 28 percent. This points to a population arriving with fewer supports already in place and underscores the need for stronger navigation, advocacy, and wraparound care. 

New questions in the 2026 survey also revealed deeper layers of need. A new question found that 39 percent of respondents reported alcohol or drug challenges, underscoring the importance of integrated recovery support within ministry settings. The data also showed that many of the children included in family data skew younger, with the largest age groups being 0–5 and 6–12. 

Even amid these shifts, one finding remained remarkably consistent: preference for a ministry with a spiritual emphasis stayed strong, moving only slightly from 81 percent in 2025 to 80 percent in 2026. That steady response reflects the continued value many people place on care that addresses both immediate needs and deeper spiritual restoration. 

For more information about Citygate Network’s Snapshot Survey, click here.

About Citygate Network

Citygate Network is a united movement of gospel-centered rescue missions, recovery programs, and life transformation ministries working together to address homelessness and its root causes. Through community, resources, advocacy, and shared best practices, Citygate Network equips members to serve with excellence and compassion as they help individuals move from crisis toward lasting flourishing.

About the Snapshot Survey
Now in its 35th year, the Citygate Network Annual Snapshot Survey gathers point-in-time data from member ministries to inform service planning, advocacy, and resource allocation. The survey equips ministries and partners to tell the story of God-powered life transformation in communities across North America. These figures reflect a one-day report from a segment of our membership. When multiplied by 365 days and more than 330 members, the true scale of lives cared for through Citygate Network grows exponentially.

#

Editor’s Note: For interviews, detailed data breakdowns, or ride-along opportunities with ministry teams, contact Bethany Wininger at editor@citygatenetwork.org.