Family Homelessness Climbs 40% as Migrant Influx Doubles in Major U.S. Cities

In a troubling report, the U.S. has experienced an 18.1% rise in homelessness this year, highlighting a growing crisis linked to the escalating lack of affordable housing and the impact of natural disasters. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released data reflecting this increase, which now sees over 770,000 people counted as homeless across the country.

This latest surge follows a 12% increase in 2023, attributed to soaring rents and the expiration of pandemic-related assistance. Alarmingly, the data reveals that Black individuals are disproportionately represented within the homeless population, which now affects 23 out of every 10,000 people in the U.S.

HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring access to safe and affordable housing for all families. “No American should face homelessness,” Todman stated, advocating for evidence-based strategies aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.

Family homelessness has seen the steepest rise, increasing nearly 40%. This spike is particularly pronounced in cities like Denver, Chicago, and New York City, where it has more than doubled in impacted communities. On one night in January 2024, nearly 150,000 children were reported as homeless, a staggering 33% increase from the previous year.

Disasters have played a significant role in these rising numbers, notably the deadly Maui wildfires in 2023, contributing to an influx of individuals requiring emergency shelters in Hawaii.

Renee Willis, the incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, pointed out that increased homelessness is a direct outcome of insufficient investment in housing support. “The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs,” she stated.

Former U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness director Robert Marbut Jr. criticized the situation, labeling the increase in homelessness over the past four years as disgraceful. He argued for a shift in focus from permanent housing to addressing issues surrounding substance use and mental health.

As communities grapple with the rise in homelessness, many have enacted strict measures against those living in encampments, particularly in western states, following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld such bans.

Conversely, there is some positive news regarding veteran homelessness, which has declined by 8% to 32,882 individuals, with unsheltered veteran numbers dropping by 11% in 2024.

Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, noted that the reduction in veteran homelessness could serve as a model for broader homelessness solutions. “With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide,” she stated.

Certain cities, such as Dallas and Los Angeles, have successfully decreased their homeless populations, reflecting localized efforts to improve housing systems. However, California remains the state with the largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida, and Massachusetts.

This spike in homelessness starkly contrasts a decade of progress that saw a steady decline in numbers, particularly among veterans, due to increased government investments. Following the initial COVID-19 onset in 2020, the homeless population stabilized around 580,000, bolstered by emergency support measures.

The concerning trends emphasize the need for comprehensive policy solutions and increased investment in affordable housing to address the growing homelessness crisis effectively.