U.S. Homelessness Surges 18% in 2024, Reaching Record Highs

Rising housing costs, migration, and natural disasters contribute to the largest recorded increase in homelessness, with families and children disproportionately affected.

A HUD report reveals that over 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024, marking an 18% increase from the previous year and the largest recorded rise in U.S. history.
Family homelessness saw a staggering 39% increase, driven in part by migration influxes in cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver, as well as natural disasters such as the Maui wildfire.
Black Americans remain disproportionately represented in the homeless population, reflecting persistent racial inequities in housing access and economic opportunity.
Veteran homelessness continued to decline, decreasing by 8% in 2024, showcasing the effectiveness of targeted federal housing programs for this group.
Advocates urge federal, state, and local governments to expand affordable housing initiatives and rental assistance, warning that underinvestment will exacerbate the crisis.