Washington DC: The number of people experiencing homelessness in the United States has surged by 18% over the past year, reaching an all-time high of more than 771,000, according to a report released by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The count, conducted on a single night in January 2024, includes individuals in emergency shelters, safe havens, transitional housing, or unsheltered locations but excludes those staying with friends or family due to housing instability.
HUD identified the lack of affordable housing as the primary driver of the increase, further exacerbated by rising inflation, stagnant wages for middle- and lower-income households, and systemic racism.
The expiration of pandemic-era housing protections and benefits, natural disasters such as the Maui wildfire, and a surge in migrants seeking shelter in cities like New York, Denver, and Chicago also contributed to the crisis.
Sprawling encampments have appeared in many cities, reflecting the strain on homelessness service systems. While some areas have expanded shelter programs, others have implemented controversial measures that critics say penalize or criminalize homelessness.
The Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of measures to address homelessness across the country, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to ensuring all Americans have access to safe, stable housing. pic.twitter.com/jrLX6gqvV6
— Department of Housing and Urban Development (@HUDgov) December 27, 2024
A notable finding in the report was the sharp rise in homeless children, with nearly 150,000 under the age of 18 experiencing homelessness — a 33% increase compared to 2023. Children represented the age group with the largest rise in homelessness over the past year.
Homelessness in the US has been steadily increasing, with HUD reporting a 12% rise in 2023. Advocacy groups, such as the National Low Income Housing Coalition, emphasized the urgent need for policymakers to invest in proven solutions to the affordable housing crisis and homelessness.
The Biden-Harris Administration has recently announced a series of measures to address homelessness across the country, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to ensuring all Americans have access to safe, stable housing.
The report underscores the immense challenges posed by the country’s worsening affordable housing crisis and calls for immediate and comprehensive action to address the escalating issue.
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