MONDAY Dec. 30, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The number of homeless individuals in the U.S. increased by 18% between January 2023 and January 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The HUD's 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment found that some 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, a significant increase from 2023.
"No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve,” Adrianne Todman, HUD's Agency Head, said, referencing the outgoing administration.
The most recent count was collected almost one year ago, in early 2024, as part of the HUD's annual snapshot of the number of people in shelters, temporary housing and unsheltered areas. This means that the data does not reflect the current state of affairs.
While the totals take into account the rising number of asylum seekers, Todman said in a press release, it does not factor in executive action taken earlier this year to help secure U.S. borders.
National disasters in 2023, including the Maui fire, and an ever increasing number of severe storms and extreme weather contributed to the upswing, she said.
What's more, the HUD report also cited a dramatic jump in family homelessness, which more than doubled in communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City. The stats for this group are up by almost 40%.
According to the single night count in January 2024, a record 150,000 children also experienced homelessness, a 33% increase from the previous year.
HUD agency head Todman stressed that there was some positive news, however. Veterans fared better than in past years, and homelessness among them continues to trend downwards.
The report shows that homelessness among veterans dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. Looking only at unsheltered veterans, the total went down 11% to 13,851 in 2024.
Some big cities that worked to improve broken systems or add more housing were able to lower the number of homeless people in their area. In Dallas, homelessness dropped by 16% between 2022 and 2024. Los Angeles, which added more housing for the homeless, saw a 5% decrease in unsheltered homelessness since 2023.
Homelessness is known to increase the risk for infectious diseases such as viral hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
In addition, people experiencing homelessness also commonly face mental illness, alcohol and substance use disorder, diabetes, and heart and lung disease.
More information
The National Coalition for the Homeless provides resources for people who are at risk of experiencing homelessness as well as those who are currently homeless.
SOURCES: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment, press release; CBS News, Dec. 27, 2024.