Homelessness rate in the US increased by a record 18% in the past year

(CLO) On Friday, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said the homelessness rate in the US increased by a record 18% in its 2024 report, due to factors such as unaffordability, high inflation, racism, natural disasters and increased immigration.

The problem of homelessness is getting worse in the US, with common sights in many cities of destitute people living outdoors, with tents pitched on city sidewalks.

More than 771,000 people — or about 23 in 10,000 people — were counted as homeless in a nationwide count conducted on a single night in January 2024, HUD said in the new report. The figure may not include people staying with friends or family members.

Homelessness in the US is soaring again. Photo: CC/Shannon Badiee

Overall, the number of homeless people is expected to increase by 18% between 2023 and 2024, the data shows. The previous annual data released last year showed a 12% increase in homelessness.

According to the data, from 2023 to 2024, children under 18 years old are the age group with the highest increase in homelessness, increasing by 33% with 150,000 children falling into this crisis.

Among the most worrying trends is a nearly 40% increase in family homelessness – one of the areas most affected by the arrival of migrants in major cities.

California, the most populous state in the US, continues to have the largest number of homeless people in the country, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts.

Data shows that black people – who make up 12% of the total US population and 21% of the US population living in poverty – make up 32% of the total homeless population.

“The worsening national housing crisis, rising inflation, stagnant wages for low- and middle-income households, and the persistent impacts of systemic racism have stretched the homeless support service system to its limits,” HUD said.

The report also noted: "New public health crises, natural disasters that have displaced people, increased immigration to the United States, and the end of homelessness prevention programs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The report comes as more communities take a hard line against homelessness. Frustrated by the often dangerous and dirty nature of tent camps, some have implemented camping bans.

This follows a 6-3 ruling last year by the U.S. Supreme Court that found that bans on sleeping outdoors did not violate the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates argued that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness.

Hoang Anh (according to HUD, CBS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ty-le-vo-gia-cu-o-my-tang-ky-luc-18-trong-nam-2024-post327870.html