The number of homeless people in the U.S. jumped by 12% since 2022 to over 653,000 people in Jan. 2023, according to figures released Friday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The staggering number of homeless people in HUD’s findings is a snapshot of the population staying in shelters, temporary housing, and on the streets as pandemic spending expired in President Joe Biden’s America. It is the highest level since HUD began collecting homeless figures in 2007. 1 in 500 Americans had no stable housing at the beginning of 2023.
The level of homeless people in the U.S. leapt 12% this year to the highest number ever recorded, new HUD data out yesterday revealed
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) December 16, 2023
The 12% increase in homeless people represents around 70,650 more homeless than in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report. The overall increase in homelessness is the result of increases in all subgroups of the homeless population.
Homelessness by individuals jumped by 11% since 2022. Meanwhile, families with children experienced a spike in homeless rates of 16%. A surge of illegal immigration to shelters in sanctuary cities was partially responsible for growing homelessness. Surging housing costs, a lack of housing supply, and expiring pandemic protections also contributed to the problem.
New HUD data released shows California’s homeless population is up 5.8% since last year. We guess that $20 billion dollars @GavinNewsom spent to “solve” the homeless crisis didn’t work.
— CAGOP (@CAGOP) December 15, 2023
The number of homeless U.S. military veterans has risen by 7% since 2022. HUD reported an increase of more than 2,400 veterans without stable housing from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2023. That brought the total figure for military vets experiencing homelessness in the country they once served to 35,574.
“One veteran experiencing homelessness will always be one too many, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that veterans get the safe, stable housing that they deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. He also announced the White House has plans to increase grants for homeless military veterans in the future.
“Homelessness is solvable and should not exist in the United States. We’ve made positive strides, but there is still more work to be done,” said HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge in a statement. “This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness.”
