March 11, 2025 Story by: Editor
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual point-in-time report, approximately 23 out of every 10,000 Americans—totaling 771,480 individuals—experienced homelessness in January 2024. This report, which measures homelessness on a single night each winter, reflects an 18% rise compared to the 2023 figures.
Between 2022 and 2024, the total number of homeless individuals in the U.S. increased by 32.5%.
Defining Homelessness
HUD classifies homelessness into two categories: sheltered and unsheltered. Sheltered individuals reside in emergency shelters, transitional housing, safe havens for those with severe mental illness, or hotels and motels. Meanwhile, unsheltered individuals live outdoors, in vehicles, abandoned buildings, or other unsuitable environments.
People who temporarily stay with friends are considered homeless if they cannot remain for more than 14 days.
Who Are the Homeless in America?
In 2024, over 240,000 homeless individuals—31.6% of the total homeless population—identified as Black, African American, or African, making them the largest group among the unhoused. This demographic represented 13.7% of the U.S. population in 2023. Similarly, Hispanic individuals, who made up 19% of the national population, accounted for 31% of those experiencing homelessness.
Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders had the highest homelessness rate, with 126.5 out of every 10,000 people in that racial category affected. The high cost of living in Hawaii may be a contributing factor. In 2023, Hawaii was among the states where both renters and homeowners faced significant housing costs, with many spending over 30% of their income on housing.
Homelessness by Gender and Veteran Status
In 2024, 59.6% of homeless individuals were cisgender men, while 39.2% were cisgender women. Approximately 1.2% identified as transgender, nonbinary, questioning, or as having multiple gender identities. According to government survey data from 2024, 50.3% of all U.S. adults identified as cisgender women, 47.1% as cisgender men, 1.0% as transgender, and 1.7% as outside the gender binary.
The number of homeless veterans in the U.S. has been decreasing, from 73,367 in 2009 to 32,882 in 2024. This decline corresponds with the shrinking veteran population, which dropped from 21.9 million in 2009 to 15.8 million in 2024. Programs like the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing initiative have played a role in helping veterans secure stable housing and healthcare access.
Trends in Homelessness Over Time
From 2007 to 2022, homelessness in the U.S. generally declined. However, it surged by 12% in 2023 and another 18% in 2024. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness attributes this increase to issues such as insufficient affordable housing, stagnant wages, and unequal access to healthcare and economic opportunities. The Council notes that the average life expectancy for homeless individuals is 50 years, compared to 77 for the general population.
Homelessness varies significantly by location, with state and city policies, economic conditions, and personal circumstances such as poverty and domestic violence influencing rates. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified rising rent costs and job losses as major contributors to homelessness.
How Is Homelessness Data Collected?
HUD gathers separate counts for sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations, though both methods have limitations that may lead to underreporting.
Unsheltered Individuals
Each January, an annual point-in-time count aims to measure the number of unsheltered homeless individuals in the U.S. Local authorities conduct these counts using different methods. Many rely on a public places count, where volunteers and workers visit known locations where homeless individuals gather. Police officers may assist in identifying areas, including abandoned buildings.
However, this method has limitations. The reliance on known gathering places may lead to undercounts, as individuals living in vehicles or frequently moving between motels may be missed. Additionally, some homeless individuals may actively avoid being counted, and the presence of law enforcement may discourage full disclosure.
Another approach involves counting service-based interactions, using data from food pantries, soup kitchens, and social service agencies. While this method helps track individuals who use these services, it may exclude those who do not seek such assistance.
Sheltered Individuals
Tracking sheltered homeless individuals is comparatively easier since they interact more consistently with government resources. The Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) monitors individuals using emergency shelters and transitional housing. Some localities supplement this data with surveys to improve accuracy.
Despite being more reliable, sheltered counts also face challenges. Rural areas struggle with understaffed homeless service providers, outdated technology, and difficulties in communication and transportation. Additionally, these counts do not include individuals staying temporarily with friends or family, children in emergency foster care or juvenile detention, or adults in the criminal justice system.
Improving Data Collection
Accurately counting homeless individuals remains a challenge. A 2020 GAO report suggested that conducting more frequent quality checks on data collection methods could help improve the reliability of homelessness statistics.
Source: USA Facts
