US homelessness hits record high, up 18%

Homelessness in the United States has soared by 18% from January 2023 to January 2024, marking the highest level on record, according to an annual report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The report estimates that 771,480 people—approximately 23 in every 10,000—were homeless on a single night in January, with many living in shelters, temporary housing, tents, or cars.

This unprecedented rise is attributed to a combination of factors, including escalating home prices, rising rent costs, a reduction in COVID-era assistance, stagnant wages, and overwhelmed homeless service systems. In some areas, the situation has been further complicated by a growing influx of migrants. Critics of the HUD report have long contended that its methodology underrepresents the true scale of homelessness, with many experts and service providers claiming that the tally misses a significant portion of those affected.

The 18% increase is a sharp jump from the 12% rise seen in the previous year, when an estimated 650,000 individuals were homeless. Although the HUD data reflects a snapshot from nearly a year ago, federal officials suggest the actual numbers may have stabilized in some cities, as rent prices have leveled off this year. “No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve,” said Adrianne Todman, HUD’s acting secretary.

Among the most alarming findings is the rise in family homelessness. The report found that 39% more people in families with children are relying on shelters or sleeping outdoors. Nearly 259,000 people in families were affected, the highest since the data collection began in 2007. Children under 18 and unaccompanied youths (ages 18 to 24) also saw significant increases in homelessness, with the number of homeless children rising by 33% to nearly 150,000.

In contrast, homelessness among veterans declined by 8%, attributed to federal housing assistance programs aimed at supporting former service members. “The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear road map for addressing homelessness on a larger scale,” said Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

The report also underscores the deepening crisis caused by rising housing costs, with median rent increasing by 20% between January 2021 and January 2024. In response, HUD has announced measures to combat homelessness, including efforts to repurpose federal properties for affordable housing and homelessness services.

As the national debate on housing policy intensifies, the issue has become a focal point for local governments. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June allowed cities to ban homeless individuals from sleeping outside, prompting more than 100 jurisdictions to follow suit. These bans, however, have drawn criticism from advocates like Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homeless Law Center, who argues that such measures “keep people homeless longer” by limiting their access to essential services.

Homelessness continues to disproportionately affect workers, even amid a strong labor market. “We have a housing supply shortage in this country,” said Donald Whitehead, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. “We have to increase rather than decrease those units.”

In states like Vermont, soaring living costs and changes to emergency housing rules have led to tragic outcomes. “What we found was most people are unsheltered based on something beyond their control,” said Brenda Siegel of End Homelessness Vermont, noting that several individuals had died due to the lack of shelter during harsh winter months.

Cities like Indianapolis have seen small improvements, with a 5% rise in homelessness in 2024, but efforts to mitigate the crisis remain ongoing. “That’s a win,” said Scott Person, one of the city’s “safety ambassadors,” whose patrols help guide at-risk individuals to shelter.

On the West Coast, however, experts like Sara Rankin of Seattle University remain deeply concerned. “The crisis is much worse than those numbers tell us,” she said, citing the worsening situation in Washington state. Housing costs and medical debt are pushing more people into homelessness, and once on the streets, their health deteriorates, making it more cost-effective to provide supportive housing.

In Houston, Thao Costis, head of Harris County’s housing agency, expressed hope that the incoming administration would not cut housing assistance. “We don’t want people to get evicted and have to stay in shelters that are maxed out,” she said, underscoring the urgent need for expanded housing support.

As the nation grapples with these challenges, the call for affordable housing solutions has never been more urgent.