Experts question whether current data collection accurately reflects the true extent of the crisis.
Homelessness in the United States has surged to a record high since the federal government began tracking the issue in 2007. New data reveals nearly 771,000 individuals experiencing homelessness—an 18% jump from 2023, representing the steepest annual increase in decades.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report, released Friday, indicates that roughly 23 out of every 10,000 Americans are homeless. This follows a 12% rise in 2023, attributed by HUD to soaring rental costs and the expiration of pandemic aid.
A critical shortage of affordable housing is exacerbated by “rising inflation, stagnant wages for middle- and lower-income families, and the ongoing impact of systemic racism,” along with natural disasters and an influx of migrants lacking stable housing, according to the HUD statement.
Median rent increased by 20% in January 2024 compared to the same month three years prior, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s March report.
HUD data shows a 39% year-over-year increase in homeless families with children, totaling approximately 259,000 individuals—the highest number on record. The report also highlights nearly 150,000 homeless children, a 33% increase; however, veteran homelessness decreased by 8% from 2023.
These figures emerge as the Biden administration commits to increased affordable housing funding and expanded preventative services. However, advocacy groups advocate for more comprehensive reforms, including stronger tenant protections, rent control measures, and a focus on mental health and addiction services.
Following a June Supreme Court ruling permitting cities to ban unsheltered homelessness, over 100 jurisdictions have implemented such measures, according to the Associated Press.
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly linked illegal immigration to high housing costs, claiming his proposed “largest deportation operation in American history” would lower home prices, as cited by the New York Post. He stated at an Arizona rally that immigration “is driving housing costs through the roof.”