Quote from Alex bobby on December 29, 2024, 2:00 AM

Homelessness in the U.S. Soars by 18.1% in 2024 Amid Housing Crisis, Natural Disasters, and Migrant Surge

The United States has experienced a staggering 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, marking one of the most dramatic annual rises in decades. The surge, primarily driven by a lack of affordable housing, natural disasters, and an influx of migrants in urban areas, underscores the deepening housing crisis across the nation. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federally mandated January 2024 count found more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness, a figure that likely underestimates the actual number due to the exclusion of those staying with friends or family temporarily.

A Growing Crisis

This year’s increase builds on a 12% rise in 2023, attributed to soaring rents, the expiration of pandemic-era assistance programs, and a surge in first-time homelessness. The current numbers translate to 23 out of every 10,000 Americans being homeless, with Black individuals disproportionately represented in the homeless population.

HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman emphasized the Biden administration’s commitment to tackling homelessness through evidence-based solutions. "No American should face homelessness," Todman said. "Our focus remains on ensuring every family has access to affordable, safe, and quality housing."

Family Homelessness and Migrant Challenges

A troubling trend in 2024 was the nearly 40% rise in family homelessness, fueled largely by the arrival of migrants in major cities. HUD reported that in 13 communities heavily impacted by migrant influxes—including New York City, Chicago, and Denver—family homelessness more than doubled. In contrast, the increase was under 8% in other parts of the country.

The data also revealed that nearly 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year. These figures highlight the compounding challenges faced by families seeking stability amid rising housing costs and an influx of new arrivals.

Impact of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters, such as the catastrophic Maui wildfire of 2023—the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century—further exacerbated homelessness. On the night of the HUD count, more than 5,200 people were in emergency shelters in Hawaii.

Renee Willis, interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, called the rise in homelessness a "predictable consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing." She noted that sky-high housing costs continue to push more Americans into homelessness.

Communities Take Tough Stances

As homelessness grows, some communities, particularly in Western states, are adopting stricter measures to address the visible tent camps often associated with homelessness. Following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling permitting bans on outdoor sleeping, cities have enforced anti-camping laws to address safety and sanitation concerns.

However, advocates warn that such measures risk criminalizing homelessness without addressing the underlying issues of affordable housing and support services.

Hope for Veterans and Local Successes

Amid the grim statistics, there was a silver lining: homelessness among veterans continued to decline, dropping 8% to 32,882 in 2024. Unsheltered veteran homelessness decreased even more significantly, by 11%, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted programs.

"This success offers a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale," said Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. "With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policies, we can replicate this success nationwide."

Several major cities have made progress in reducing homelessness through innovative approaches. Dallas, Texas, achieved a 16% decline in homelessness between 2022 and 2024 after overhauling its homeless response system. Los Angeles saw a 5% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in the past year, thanks to increased investments in housing.

A Reversal of Long-term Progress

The recent spike in homelessness contrasts sharply with the progress made between 2010 and 2017 when the homeless population steadily decreased from 637,000 to 554,000. This decline was largely due to increased federal investments in housing initiatives, particularly for veterans.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point. While emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, and eviction moratoriums helped stabilize homelessness rates during the pandemic, their expiration in 2023 led to sharp increases.

The Path Forward

The dramatic rise in homelessness highlights the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address housing affordability, disaster resilience, and migrant integration. Advocates stress that reducing homelessness requires sustained federal and state investments, bipartisan cooperation, and innovative strategies to ensure housing stability for vulnerable populations.

As the U.S. faces its largest homeless population in over a decade, the challenge remains clear: preventing homelessness and providing secure, affordable housing must become a national priority.