The number of homeless people in the United States has reached a record high this year. According to the annual assessment report of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this number increased to approximately 771,480 people overnight in the country in January 2024. A French news agency AFP reported this news on Friday (December 27).
Basically, the number of homeless people in the United States is said to have increased due to chronic inflation and high housing prices, among other reasons. This number is 18 percent higher than last year. That is, about 23 out of every 10,000 Americans are homeless.
According to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, median rents increased by an average of 20 percent in January 2024 compared to January 2021.
In addition to rising housing costs, HUD's report cited “stagnant wages” for middle- and low-income families and the continued impact of systemic racism as other factors.
It is also attributed to the displacement of people due to natural disasters, increased immigration and the end of homelessness prevention programs launched during the Covid-19 pandemic.
