10 Homeless Documentaries You Need to See

Published February 1, 2024

United Nations documented that there are about 150 million people experiencing homelessness worldwide. And another 20% lack adequate housing. Looking at these numbers, even a grade-schooler can tell that we have a problem with homelessness. And a pretty serious one at that.

Despite this, the topic remains taboo. Only a handful of films and shows depict homelessness for what it is. Most of the time, these films tackle life on the streets. But they rarely show why these people became homeless in the first place. Or how we, as a society, contributed to their plight.

With this, it’s a small wonder why society has a rather dismissive attitude towards homeless people. Yes, being homeless is hard. However, the negative stereotypes and the lack of empathy from others make it more unbearable.

But you and every one of us can help end this social injustice. We must educate people and let them know the real deal about homelessness. Through this, we can change their perception and, consequently, their attitude towards people experiencing homelessness.

Homeless Documentaries

If you don’t know where to start, here are some must-see homeless documentaries that narrate homelessness through the eyes of those who are going through it:

1. Us and Them

Filmed in British Columbia, this documentary follows the lives of four chronically homeless women. These women represent most people in our society. They had jobs, a family, and a home – that is, until life happened. It shows their struggles as they attempt to grapple with their traumas, which eventually take them on a downward spiral. It presents their plight with a compassionate lens.

But this documentary differs because the filmmaker does not just tell us their struggles. She pulls us into their pain. Their struggles mirror some of ours – losing a loved one, growing up in an abusive family, incarcerated. It tells us there is no “us and them” but just “us.”

2. Dark Days

We’ve often heard about people living in squalid conditions, but this documentary can still shock and horrify even the most peaceful of viewers.

The documentary follows the lives of people living in New York’s underground tunnels. But despite its black-and-white aesthetics, it presents a picture of hope. It does not paint poverty bleakly as we’ve come to expect in most documentaries.

Instead, it shows us that these people are just like us. Their days focus on earning a living, caring for family, and socializing. It’s just that they do it literally under the city’s towering skyrise buildings. They have no electricity or even running water. But their ingenuity and optimism that helped them survive in such conditions can also serve as an inspiration for all of us.

3. Field Niggas

A critically-acclaimed documentary, Field Niggas focuses on the lives of homeless people in New York’s Harlem Street. Most of them are African Americans who are either recovering from addiction or have just been released from prison. It depicts the struggles of the country’s marginalized sectors. It also touches on other social issues that plague the country, such as the racial divide, mass incarceration, addiction, and an ever-widening wealth gap.

4. In the Wee Wee Hours

Although shot in the mid-’80s, this documentary’s depiction of homelessness still resonates today. Its aggressive approach to presenting homelessness earned it an Academy nomination for Best Short Documentary.

Combining interviews with footage at shelters and soup kitchens around L.A., the film offers a raw, unfiltered picture of homelessness.

5. It Was a Wonderful Life

Just like “Us and Them,” this documentary zooms in on the life of homeless women. Dubbed the “hidden homeless,” these women don’t fit the stereotypical homeless.

They’re educated, sophisticated, and, at some point, have enjoyed affluence. One was a successful singer; another was a painter who once lived in Malibu with her servants; another was a law student. 

They’re the sort of people you’d never expect to become homeless, yet they have. Their stories are a stark reminder that most of us are just one divorce or one wrong choice away from homelessness.

Documentaries About Homeless Youth

6. American Street Kid

It is a powerful and eye-opening film that sheds light on the heartbreaking reality of America’s homeless youth. Through personal interviews and raw footage, the film delves into the struggles and challenges faced by these young individuals as they navigate a life filled with poverty, exploitation, drugs, and prostitution.

The documentary aims to raise awareness about the homelessness epidemic among youth in America. It highlights the urgent need for action and support. By giving a voice to these often overlooked individuals, the film humanizes their experiences and sparks empathy in its viewers. 

7. The Homestretch

This powerful and poignant documentary delves into the lives of three homeless teenagers in Chicago. We’ll see them battle to stay in school, graduate, and build a better future. The film highlights these smart and ambitious young individuals’ struggles and obstacles.

The documentary invites us to reflect on the importance of education, support, and opportunities for homeless youth. It calls for compassion, advocating for change, and providing a platform for these courageous young individuals to be heard.

8. Lost in America

Lost in America is a compelling documentary directed by Rotimi Rainwater. It aims to shed light on the pressing issue of youth homelessness in the United States. The film follows a former homeless youth traveling nationwide to bring attention to this epidemic.

The documentary encourages viewers to look beyond the surface and recognize the humanity of those facing homelessness. It prompts us to confront the systemic issues perpetuating youth homelessness. It inspires us to become agents of change in our communities.

(Related: 14 Best Places to Donate Clothes for the Homeless)