Federal officials announced on Friday that there are more homeless individuals in America this year compared to 2023, as families continue to fight against rising rent and basic living costs.

In 2024, the U.S. saw over 771,800 people living without stable housing, based on a one-night annual count in January. This figure is a staggering 18.1% increase from 2023, which recorded approximately 650,000 individuals living in shelters or on the streets. To provide context, about 580,000 people were homeless in 2022.

“The numbers are truly astonishing,” said Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in an interview with YSL News.

Many urban areas have faced challenges in constructing more affordable housing in recent years. Meanwhile, certain regions have enforced stricter regulations that prohibit encampments and sleeping in public areas. Experts emphasized to YSL News that local authorities need to adopt measures to help individuals remain in their homes during difficult financial times, or else the homeless population will keep rising.

“The factors leading to homelessness are worsening,” remarked Shamus Roller, Executive Director of the National Housing Law Project, to YSL News. “Housing affordability has deteriorated, impacting more individuals nationwide. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many people are effectively losing their homes.”

Officials from the administration informed reporters on Friday that the rise can be attributed to a mix of high housing costs, an influx of migrants seeking shelter, and natural disasters like the wildfires in Maui that forced many into temporary accommodations.

Some circumstances have shifted since January when the initial numbers were reported. In June, President Joe Biden took actions to limit illegal border crossings, which has reportedly eased the burden on shelters. Both Denver and Chicago have recently declared an end to their migrant shelter initiatives.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, areas in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chester County, Pennsylvania, saw declines in their reported homelessness figures in 2024.

Actual Homeless Population Likely Exceeds Reported Figures

Adam Ruege, a data analyst with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who tracks homelessness across over 100 communities, points out that every U.S. city receiving HUD support must report its homeless numbers.

However, the count is conducted in January, leading to an “inevitably undercounted” figure for unsheltered homeless individuals as many will seek temporary refuge in cars or other makeshift places during the winter months, according to Ruege.

Additionally, Ruege noted that the annual nationwide count is flawed since it only reflects a snapshot from a single night each year.

“It’s just one moment in time. It’s more like a snapshot than a continuous video,” Ruege explained.

Decrease in Veteran Homelessness Amid Overall Crisis

The Biden administration has made strides in reducing homelessness among veterans, achieving a nearly 12% decrease during the president’s tenure. Between 2023 and 2024, the homeless veteran population declined from 35,000 to 32,800, approximately a 7.5% drop, according to data from HUD. Recently, the department stated that the rate of homeless veterans is now at its lowest since tracking began in 2009.

However, the increase in the total homeless population this year mirrors the earlier rise from 2022 to 2023, signaling the end of a two-year goal set by Biden to lower homelessness before his first term ends.

Experts informed YSL News that the success in decreasing homelessness among veterans was, in part, due to the effective combination of housing and mental health services offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with resources from HUD.

“When we have bipartisan support, adequate resources to meet the demand, and well-thought-out program designs and policies, we can actually reduce the numbers,” stated Oliva.

Ruege highlighted that the government’s dedicated resources for veterans provide immediate solutions when individuals are at risk of becoming homeless.

“The fact is that when the federal government, Congress, and the White House allocate resources in a bipartisan manner, you will see outcomes, as evidenced by the robust safety net available for veterans,” Ruege remarked.

Policymakers Call for a Broader Safety Net

According to HUD, veteran homelessness has decreased by over 55% since 2009, and similar advancements can be achieved for the entire U.S. homeless demographic if resources are allocated in a corresponding manner, explained Marion McFadden, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for community planning and development.

“We need to operate under the assumption that every person is ready for housing,” McFadden shared with YSL News. “There’s no need for prequalification through treatment or preparation before securing a house.”

The reduction in veteran homelessness occurred after housing administrators eliminated initial requirements and broadened income eligibility thresholds for homeless veterans in Los Angeles, mentioned Richard Monocchio, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing.

“Verifying income can take a while, and if a person has been living on the streets or in a car or shelter, they may not have immediate access to the necessary documents,” Monocchio told YSL News. “We decided to assume that those without housing are eligible.”

In Los Angeles, which, alongside New York City, holds the highest homelessness rates in the nation, veteran homelessness fell by almost 25% between 2023 and 2024, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

It’s about providing individuals with “breathing room,” McFadden explained, and simplifying their access to the resources they are entitled to.

“When someone is overwhelmed by the need for housing, they shouldn’t have to become experts in federal laws and regulations,” she emphasized.