According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) annual homelessness count, the country is experiencing a homelessness crisis, with the number of homeless people reaching its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.
The Point in Time (P.I.T.) count, which provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single day in late January, revealed that 653,100 people were homeless in 2023, a 12% increase from the previous year. Among those experiencing homelessness, 143,105 were chronically homeless, the highest number ever recorded.
H.U.D. attributed the rise in homelessness to the expiration of pandemic-era safety net expansions, such as eviction moratoria and rental assistance.
The report indicated that the American Rescue Plan had prevented a surge in homelessness between 2020 and 2022, but the resources provided by the plan have now expired.
Key findings from the report include:
The report also highlighted the particularly dire situation for people of colour, and homelessness increased in several states, with New York experiencing a 39% year-over-year increase.
Advocates attribute the rise in homelessness to a lack of affordable housing, emphasising the need for long-term federal investment to address the affordable housing crisis. Some critics argue that the P.I.T. count likely underestimates the true extent of homelessness, as unsheltered individuals in various locations may go uncounted. The National Homeless Law Centre emphasised the urgency of focusing on proven solutions like permanent housing.
The current homelessness situation underscores the challenges faced by individuals and families, particularly amid rising living costs and the end of pandemic aid.
