Federal officials blamed the increase on the lack of affordable housing, devastating natural disasters, and the surge in illegal immigration.
The nation’s homeless population grew by 18.1 percent from 2023 to 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Dec. 27.
HUD determined that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless in a federally required survey taken across the country in January called the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report. This number does not include those who don’t have a home of their own but are able to stay with family or friends.
Federal officials blamed the increase on the lack of affordable housing, devastating natural disasters, and the surge in migration seen in different parts of the country.
“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,” HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman said in a statement. “While this data is nearly a year old, and no longer reflects the situation we are seeing, it is critical that we focus on evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness. We know what works and our success in reducing veteran homelessness by 55.2 percent since 2010 shows that.”
The report also states that since January 2024, rent prices have “stabilized,” and HUD has been able to add 435,000 new rental units as of September 2024.
The year-over-year rise in homelessness follows a 12 percent increase recorded in 2023, which was driven by people who were experiencing homelessness for the first time. HUD blamed this increase on higher rents and the end of pandemic assistance.
By T.J. Muscaro
