Homelessness in the US has taken a hit highest level ever Federal regulators announced Friday as the affordable housing crisis intensifies this year.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Total of over 770,000 people The number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January has increased by 18% since 2023, but this is likely an underestimate.
According to HUD data, the number of families with children experiencing homelessness increased by 39%, the largest increase on record. Nearly 150,000 children are experiencing homelessness, an increase of 33% from 2023.
The only population whose homelessness continues to decline is veterans, with an 8 percent decrease from 2023. Since HUD began collecting data on veteran homelessness in 2009, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has decreased by 55 percent.
Black people continue to make up the majority of the homeless population. According to HUD, approximately 32 percent of people experiencing homelessness are Black, despite making up only 12 percent of the U.S. population. It also found that the proportion of homeless people who identify as black is lower than before. 37% in 2023.
The latest spike follows a 12% increase in homelessness in 2023 amid rising rents and reduced support due to the pandemic.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrian Todman emphasized in the statement He said the data is almost a year old and “no longer reflects the situation we are seeing,” especially as interest rates and mortgage rates have fallen.
“No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all families have access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve,” Todman said. “It is important to focus on what is evidence-based,” he said. Efforts to prevent and eliminate homelessness. ”
The cost of buying a home reached a record high earlier this year, with advocates and policymakers alike citing a severe shortage of housing and a decline in affordable housing.
According to one report, the U.S. housing shortage has grown from 4.3 million units in 2021 to 4.5 million units in 2022. June report From real estate marketplace Zillow. The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) estimates that there is a shortage of 7.3 million units of affordable housing in the United States.
“The rise in homelessness is due to a lack of investment in resources and protection to help people find and maintain safe and affordable housing,” said Lenny Willis, NLIHC's incoming interim CEO. “This is a tragic but predictable outcome.”
Local, state, and federal leaders to find solutions to the affordable housing crisis, including low-income housing tax credits, property tax relief, commercial-to-residential conversion, and inclusionary zoning. is busy with
