The US homeless population surged by over 18% last year, the BBC claims.
The surge is driven by sky-high housing costs, natural disasters, and a spike in migration to big cities, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A one-night survey in January 2024 found over 770,000 people in shelters and temporary housing, the highest figure since the federal government started counting in 2007.
The Details of the Survey
The numbers likely underestimate the crisis, as those couch-surfing with family or friends weren’t included.
Family homelessness soared by 39%, doubling in 13 areas impacted by migration.
Children were hardest hit, with nearly 150,000 homeless on the survey night. Seniors aged 65+ also saw a 6% rise in homelessness.
Some Good News
Despite the grim stats, there’s some good news.
Veteran homelessness dropped 8%.
LA’s population shrank for the first time in seven years, while Chester County, Pennsylvania, slashed its numbers by 60% in five years, the report mentions.
