US homelessness increased 18% between 2023, 2024: HUD Report

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report. The report revealed that the number of unhoused individuals in the U.S. increased nearly 20% since 2023.

According to HUD’s report, homelessness increased by 18% from 2023 to 2024. On a single night in January 2024, more than 770,000 people were homeless.

Notably, families with children saw the largest increase in homelessness. Nearly 150,000 children –– an increase of 33% from the previous year –– spent the night without a home, marking the largest increase in homelessness for any age group.

Migration has also impacted family homelessness, which surged by 39% nationwide. Some U.S. cities saw dramatic increases in homelessness due to a rise in asylum seekers.

Black Americans, who make up about 12% of the overall U.S. population, account for 32% of those experiencing homelessness. However, there was a slight decrease in this share, down from 37% in 2023, signaling a small but notable shift.

The report states that the homelessness crisis is being driven by a combination of factors, including the worsening affordable housing shortage, rising inflation and stagnating wages for many Americans.

Despite the overall rise, there is progress in some areas. Veteran homelessness is down nearly 8% since last year, thanks to targeted funding and programs like the HUD-VASH initiative, which helped nearly 90,000 veterans secure stable housing, the report notes.

HUD Secretary Adriann Todman emphasized the Biden administration’s commitment to addressing homelessness, stating, “No American should face homelessness.”

HUD is working to stabilize housing, adding 435,000 rental units this year, while rents have begun to level off in many areas, according to the agency.

The administration continues to release funding to combat homelessness. This year, $3.16 billion in grants went to helping communities provide more housing and support services.