Data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

US Homelessness Hits Record High with 18.1% Increase, Affecting New York and Illinois

Dec 27, 2024, 04:58 PM

The United States has seen a record high in homelessness in 2024, with federal officials reporting an 18.1% increase from the previous year. More than 771,480 people were counted as homeless on a single night in January, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This surge is attributed to a combination of factors including a lack of affordable housing, inflation, stagnant wages, and a significant increase in asylum seekers. The number of children experiencing homelessness rose by 33%, with nearly 150,000 affected. Family homelessness increased by nearly 40%, with a notable impact in communities affected by immigration, where it more than doubled. The crisis is particularly acute in New York, which saw an increase of 55,000 homeless individuals, and Illinois, with an additional 14,000. Despite these challenges, homelessness among veterans decreased by 7%.