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17-12-2023
HOUSTON: The number of people without permanent housing has reached an all-time high in the United States, according to a recent government report that details a disturbing rise in homelessness nationwide.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development released a study that found out that over 653,100 people were homeless countrywide in January. This is a staggering surge of 12 percent and shows a dramatic increase of 70,650 individuals over the previous year.
A concerning statistic highlighted in the report is the disproportionate representation of African Americans in the homeless community. Despite making up only 13 percent of the total US population, African Americans account for a striking 37 percent of all individuals experiencing homelessness.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on a phenomenal surge in homelessness among individuals identifying as Hispanic, with a substantial 28 percent increase equating to 39,106 people between the years 2022 and 2023. The number of families with children facing homelessness also saw a troubling upturn, rising by 16 percent, marking a reversal of the declining trend observed since 2012.
Analysis of the data revealed that six out of 10 homeless individuals were residing in shelters or temporary accommodations, while the remaining four out of 10 were found in conditions not suitable for human habitation.
The report identified specific states grappling with severe homelessness. California emerged with the largest homeless population, totaling 181,399 individuals, followed by New York (103,200), Florida (30,756), Washington State (28,036), Texas (27,377), and Oregon (20,142).
Experts examining the crisis have pointed to multiple factors contributing to the escalating rates of homelessness in the nation. Issues such as poverty, mental health challenges, substance addiction, and a shortage of affordable housing have been cited as major catalysts intensifying the severity of the crisis.
About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness during the January snapshot.
Within the overall rise, homelessness among individuals rose by nearly 11%, among veterans by 7.4% and among families with children by 15.5%.
People who identify as Black make up just 13% of the U.S. population, but comprised 37% of all people experiencing homelessness. And more than a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness were over age 54.
Below are the 5 states with the biggest increase in their unhoused population over the last year:
New York: 29,022 rise in people experiencing homelessness, or a 39.1% increase
Colorado: 4,042, or a 38.9% increase.
Massachusetts: 3,634, or a 23.4% jump.
Florida: 4,797, or an 18.5% jump.
California: 9,878, or a 5.8% increase. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
