In 2023, the United States experienced the highest number of people experiencing homelessness since data collection began in 2007. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), approximately 653,104 people were reported as homeless on a single night in January 2023. This marked a significant increase from previous years, driven by factors such as the expiration of pandemic-era eviction bans, rising rents, and a shortage of affordable housing.
In 2024, there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of people with jobs who are experiencing homelessness. Reports indicate that many working individuals, including those with decent-paying jobs, are unable to afford housing due to fast-rising rents and inflation. This trend has been observed in various parts of the country, with shelter administrators and local groups noting an increase in first-time homeless individuals who are employed.
Homelessness in the USA was the highest ever on record in 2023, per Heather Long of WaPo.
In 2024, homeless shelters and services are seeing an uptick in people WITH JOBS who are living in cars pic.twitter.com/ZZf4XEJRdo
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) August 7, 2024
Sources:
www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/Fact_Sheet_Summarized_Findings.pdf
www.yahoo.com/news/growing-number-americans-jobs-homeless-135947965.html