The United States has seen an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, driven primarily by a lack of affordable housing, natural disasters, and a surge of migrants in certain areas. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless in January, although this number might not include those staying with friends or family due to lack of housing. The increase follows a 12% rise in homelessness in 2023, blamed on rising rents and the end of pandemic assistance, with Black people being overrepresented in these figures.
One concerning trend is the nearly 40% rise in family homelessness, particularly in communities affected by the influx of migrants. Family homelessness more than doubled in cities like Denver, Chicago, and New York City, while rising less in other areas. Disasters also played a role, with the Maui wildfire leading to over 5,200 people staying in emergency shelters in Hawaii. Advocates point to a lack of investment in affordable housing resources as a key factor contributing to increased homelessness, as housing costs continue to rise.
Communities have been cracking down on homelessness, enforcing camping bans amid concerns about tent camps. The Supreme Court ruling last year found that outdoor sleeping bans do not violate the Eighth Amendment, which advocates argue criminalizes homelessness. However, there has been progress in reducing homelessness among veterans, with an 8% decrease in 2024. Federal investments and bipartisan support are crucial in tackling the housing affordability crisis and ensuring access to safe housing for all Americans.
Several large cities have managed to bring down their homeless numbers, with cities like Dallas and Los Angeles seeing drops in homelessness due to revamped homeless systems and increased housing initiatives. California continues to have the largest homeless population in the U.S., followed by states like New York, Washington, Florida, and Massachusetts. Despite these localized successes, the overall increase in homelessness over the past two years contrasts with the declining trend seen in previous years.
From 2007 to 2017, the U.S. made steady progress in reducing homelessness, particularly among veterans, through increased investments in housing initiatives. However, the numbers began to rise again in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with Congress responding with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments, and a temporary eviction moratorium. The recent surge in homelessness highlights the ongoing challenges faced in providing affordable housing solutions and addressing the needs of the homeless population in the United States.
