U.S. Homelessness Surges 18% in 2024, Driven by Housing Costs and Migrant Influx

HUD's annual report highlights record numbers of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals, with major increases in family homelessness and migrant-related shelter usage.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recorded 771,480 homeless people in January 2024, an 18% rise from the previous year—the largest annual increase since tracking began in 2007.
Family homelessness saw a record 39% jump, and 150,000 children were counted as homeless, a 33% rise compared to 2023.
A significant portion of the increase in homelessness is attributed to the surge of migrants in sanctuary cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver, where shelter systems faced unprecedented strain.
The report cites additional factors such as rising housing costs, the end of pandemic-era aid programs, and systemic barriers as contributors to the nationwide rise in homelessness.
While veteran homelessness decreased by 8%, unsheltered homelessness reached record levels, and West Coast states without major migrant surges also reported worsening homelessness due to high housing costs.