U.S. homelessness soars to record levels in 2024, with the Biden administration citing immigration as a key factor.
At a Glance
- U.S. homelessness increased by 18% in 2024, reaching over 770,000 people
- Rising rents and a surge in migrants are major contributors to the increase
- Family homelessness rose 39% overall, with a significant impact from asylum seekers
- The Biden administration acknowledges the role of immigration in the homelessness surge
- Veteran homelessness declined amid broader challenges
Record-Breaking Homelessness Surge
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released a sobering report revealing that U.S. homelessness has reached its highest level since 2007. On a single night in January 2024, approximately 770,000 individuals were counted as homeless, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. This surge has been attributed to a combination of factors, with rising rents and increased immigration playing significant roles.
The report highlights a worrying trend of increasing homelessness since 2017, exacerbated by a critical shortage of affordable housing. While federal aid during the pandemic temporarily slowed this rise, the end of these support measures has left many Americans struggling with high housing and living costs.
US homelessness hit a record high in 2024. Federal officials say the increase was driven by a surge of asylum seekers in January https://t.co/YPE6158UFd via @citylab
— Bloomberg (@business) December 27, 2024
Immigration’s Impact on Homelessness
One of the most striking aspects of the report is the Biden administration’s acknowledgment of the role immigration has played in the homelessness crisis. The influx of asylum seekers has put significant strain on shelter systems, particularly affecting family homelessness.
In 13 communities heavily impacted by migration, family homelessness more than doubled, while in 373 other communities, it rose by less than 8%. This disparity underscores the localized nature of the immigration-related homelessness surge.
The homelessness crisis extends beyond families, with increases noted in people living outside, those considered chronically homeless, and unaccompanied youth. However, there was a positive development in the decline of unhoused veterans, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of targeted interventions.
“What that says is that, if we keep investing the right way in getting people off the streets and into housing as quickly as possible, we really can see those numbers go down,” former Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Jeff Olivet, said.
The report also notes that extreme weather events, such as the Maui fire, have contributed to the rise in homelessness. Furthermore, the annual count is considered an underestimate, as it does not account for those living with family or friends due to inability to pay rent.
Policy Responses and Future Outlook
The Biden administration has taken steps to address housing issues, including zoning rule changes and increased spending on housing subsidies. However, with the change in administration looming, there is uncertainty about future policy directions. President-elect Trump and his allies have proposed shifting federal funding from housing to treatment for drug addiction or mental illness, a move that has raised concerns among housing advocates.
“A lot of families, a lot of households, a lot of individuals are still struggling. I think we’re still in — for deeply poor people — a real recovery from the pandemic,” Jeff Olivet said.
If they had admitted this earlier, they’d have had to have done something about it – so perhaps why they waited so long.
