United Way Worldwide released its 2025 Impact Survey data, showing the top needs of people nationwide. The 211 network made an average of 37 referrals per minute to people seeking help with housing, utilities, and food, among other pressing needs. In 2025 alone, the 211 network made six million referrals for housing assistance, a 150% increase over the past decade, and the largest share of requests for help.
Top Referrals
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#1 Housing
211 made 6 million referrals for housing last year -- 30 percent of all referrals. That’s an all-time high, reflecting a steady rise in affordable housing needs.
People are asking for help finding affordable housing, getting short-term rental assistance, seeking legal aid to fight eviction, and looking for emergency shelters.
#2 Utilities
Utilities assistance was the second-largest referral category, increasing nearly 6% from 2024 and doubling over the last decade to 3.1 million referrals. These referrals help prevent electricity shut-offs, including for medically vulnerable individuals who rely on powered medical equipment, and provide respite from extreme cold and heat. In 27 states, housing and utilities together represented over half of all referrals.
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#3 Food
Food referrals reached 2.5 million, nearly double pre-pandemic levels. Needs grew due to disruptions to SNAP benefits and shrinking resources for food pantries.
Not reflected in the data are the over 1 million searches through 211’s National Food Locator, launched in November.