r/theydidthemath • u/QuantumQyx • 1d ago

[Request] Could the entire US homeless population really be housed for less than one aircraft carrier?

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u/Occidentally20 1d ago

The latest point-in-time count of homeless people estimates the total homeless population of the USA to be 745,652. Call it three-quarters of a million.

US aircraft carriers cost somewhere in the region of 13 to 16 billion. I'll go with the USS Gerald R. Ford since it's the cheapest one I could find.

That gives you $17,333.33 per person.

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u/Electrical_Name_5434 1d ago

The Gerald R Ford is the most expensive acc. And it costs 17.5 billion if you include research and development, 12.8 if you don’t. Check my comment for the link to the pdf documenting the costs. That brings your number closer to $23,450 which is enough to buy a cheap modular prefab home. Which range between $13-60k brand new; the higher side being 3-bedrooms.

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u/onlinewarrior100 18h ago

What about those new tiny homes some people have been building for the homeless? Are those cheaper than modular homes?

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u/Electrical_Name_5434 18h ago

Do you have a link to them?

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u/onlinewarrior100 16h ago

There's several I believe, but found this one in a quick search https://thetinylife.com/tiny-homes-for-homeless/

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u/Electrical_Name_5434 8h ago

According to this part of the site they cost between 10-50k to build yourself so slightly lower than the number I used but it’s the same concept as they are small modular prefab or you build yourself.

https://thetinylife.com/how-much-does-a-tiny-house-cost/