Homelessness surges 18% as affordable housing stays elusive for many.



US Sees 18.1% Rise in Homelessness, With 770,000 People Counted Homeless This Year

The United States saw a dramatic 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, driven primarily by a lack of affordable housing, devastating natural disasters, and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that over 770,000 people were counted as homeless this year, a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family due to not having a place of their own.

This increase follows a 12% rise in 2023, which was attributed to soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. The numbers represent 23 out of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population.

A nearly 40% rise in family homelessness was also noted, with 13 communities impacted by the arrival of migrants, such as Denver, Chicago, and New York City, showing more than double the increase. Family homelessness more than doubled in those communities, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Nearly 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year.

Natural disasters, such as the catastrophic Maui wildfire, also played a part in the rise in the count. More than 5,200 people were staying in emergency shelters in Hawaii on the night of the count.

Homelessness advocates and critics agreed that the increase is largely a result of underinvestment in resources and protections to help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing. “Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing,” said Renee Willis, incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Experts have warned that the number of people experiencing homelessness will continue to rise as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs. The numbers also come as more communities take a hardline against homelessness, with some enforcing bans on camping and others imposing strict regulations on public access to restrooms and amenities.

However, there were some positive signs, including a continued decrease in homelessness among veterans, which dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. “The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale,” said Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide. Federal investments are critical in tackling the country’s housing affordability crisis and ensuring that every American has access to safe, stable housing.”

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