Homelessness in America: The Latest Statistics and Trends for 2026

Has Homelessness Increased in America?

Unfortunately, 2024 continues a multi-year trend of rising homelessness, following a period of yearly declines between 2012 and 2015 and relatively stable totals in the years before the pandemic. The sharp post-2020 growth has only accelerated. In fact, homelessness surged to its highest level ever recorded in 2024.

HUD’s latest report is based on the Point-in-Time count conducted in January 2024. The results reveal a grim truth: across the nation, 771,480 Americans were homeless on a single night. The agency defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Homeless Population Up 34% Over the Past Decade

Compared to the previous year, the 2024 figure reflects an increase of roughly 118,000 people — an 18 percent jump. The 2024 count also represents the highest number the agency has recorded in its 18 years of surveying homelessness. Homelessness is now 34 percent higher than it was a decade ago. In contrast, the U.S. population has grown by just seven percent in the same time period.

Notably, the national rise in homelessness has affected nearly every cross-section of society. The numbers have risen across genders, ethnicities, age groups, and community types. As we detail below, some communities are more vulnerable than others.

What States Have the Most People Experiencing Homelessness?

Demonstrating the breadth of this endemic issue, the states with the highest homeless rates span from the Pacific islands (Hawaii) to the eastern seaboard (New York and the District of Columbia) and the Pacific coastline (California and Oregon).

Using this interactive map, you can explore the rates of homelessness per 100,000 residents for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Washington had the biggest overall homeless populations in 2024. Aside from being among the country’s most populous, these states share several traits that historically contribute to homelessness or attract people without homes. A high cost of living makes affordable housing scarce in many of these states, while warm weather (Texas and Florida) can make states more appealing to those without secure housing.

These states had the largest total populations of people experiencing homelessness:

1. California: 187,084 people
2. New York: 158,019 people
3. Washington: 31,554 people
4. Florida: 31,362 people
5. Massachusetts:29,360 people
6. Texas: 27,987 people
7. Illinois: 25,832 people
8. Oregon: 22,875 people
9. Colorado: 18,715 people
10. Arizona: 14,737 people

On a per capita basis, Hawaii has the nation’s most pronounced homelessness problem. In the midst of paradise, about eight out of every 1,000 people are unhoused. Washington, D.C. and New York had almost the same rate of homelessness as Hawaii. High housing costs in all three regions contribute to the high rates.

Here are the states with the highest population-adjusted rates of homelessness (per 1,000 residents):

1. Hawaii: 8.05
2. District of Columbia 8.0
3. New York: 7.95
4. Oregon: 5.35
5. Vermont: 5.33
6. California: 4.74
7. Massachusetts: 4.11
8. Washington: 3.96
9. Alaska: 3.63
10. Colorado: 3.14

The homeless population increased in 43 states between 2023 and 2024, with the largest percentage increases recorded in Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New York. These states represent the fastest-growing homelessness crises — not simply a reflection of their population size.

These states had the greatest year-over-year increase in homelessness:

1. Illinois:  54% increase
2. Hawaii: 47% increase
3. Massachusetts: 35% increase
4. New York: 35% increase
5. Alabama: 28% increase
6. Rhode Island: 26% increase
7. Colorado: 23% increase
8. West Virginia: 20% increase
9. New Jersey: 20% increase
10. New Mexico: 17% increase

Population density is only one factor affecting housing status. Homelessness rates also vary widely by gender, age, and ethnicity — with a heightened impact felt by several specific communities.

Special Populations Experiencing Homelessness

Behind every statistic is a human story of struggle and resilience. Some people face unemployment or struggle to adjust to life after serving in the military. Others contend with discrimination, addiction, or mental health challenges. There are people who have spent years on the streets, while others fled dangerous situations seeking safety. As we dissect national statistics, we must recognize that every number represents human suffering.

How Many Children Are Homeless in the U.S?

The 2024 data paints a deeply troubling picture for families. Homelessness among families with children increased 39 percent year over year — the sharpest rise on record for this group. In total, nearly 150,000 children under age 18 were homeless in 2024, a 33 percent increase from 2023. Children now make up approximately one in five homeless Americans.

Some advocates warn that these numbers may still be conservative — homeless children and youths are notoriously undercounted.

This resurgent crisis of underage homelessness threatens to undo years of steady progress. The number of people in families with minor children experiencing homelessness had dropped significantly in the decade leading up to 2022. The 16 percent increase in 2023 was alarming, but 2024’s 39 percent surge dwarfs it entirely.

Do Certain Races Experience Homelessness More Than Others?

As a nation of immigrants, America is a great melting pot but still struggles with economic equality. Despite recent gains by communities of color, there remains a wide wealth gap across racial divides — particularly for Black communities and Hispanic/Latin groups.

These disparities continue to show through in the latest homeless numbers. Black Americans accounted for 32 percent of the homeless population in 2024 despite representing just 12 percent of the U.S. population, reflecting persistent racial disparities in housing security. HUD data does note a slight decrease from 37 percent in 2023, but the overrepresentation remains stark.

The Black community continues to experience homelessness most disproportionately, at a rate far exceeding its population share.

How Many U.S. Military Veterans are Homeless?

In a notable bright spot, 2024 brought welcome news for veterans — a segment that has been the focus of intensive federal investment over the past 15 years.

At the outset of the Obama administration, homelessness among veterans was a shameful and chronic blight. HUD first tracked veteran homelessness in 2009, finding that ex-servicepeople experienced homelessness at twice the national rate, with more than 75,000 living without homes.

A concentrated effort that included billions in spending and an array of outreach programs — notably the HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) and SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) programs — became a blueprint for success. Veteran homelessness declined eight percent in 2024, continuing a remarkable 55 percent reduction since 2009.

While overall homelessness surged 18 percent nationally, the veteran population moved in the opposite direction — a testament to the effectiveness of targeted, well-funded housing programs. The continued decline in veteran homelessness stands as proof that focused interventions can work even against the backdrop of a worsening national crisis.

Chronic Homelessness: Expanding Desperation

The most insidious aspect of the nation’s housing crisis is chronic homelessness — defined as individuals with disabilities who have been homeless for more than 12 months or have experienced several periods of extended homelessness over the past three years.

In 2024, approximately 152,585 people experienced chronic homelessness, accounting for about 30 percent of the total homeless population. This represents a 7 percent increase from 2023. The number of chronically unhoused individuals has climbed steadily for years, nearly doubling since 2016.

Older Adults: A Growing Concern

A particularly troubling trend in the 2024 data is the rising share of older adults among the homeless population. Nearly 20 percent of people experiencing homelessness are age 55 or older. This growth is tied to the intersection of fixed incomes, rising rents, and a severe shortage of senior housing options — leaving an increasing number of aging Americans without stable shelter.

Factors Influencing Homelessness Today

America’s homelessness emergency is not linked to one single case. Some factors include economic inequality and government policy changes. Some communities have managed to make headway, but there have still been several significant setbacks. Researchers point to several driving forces:

1. Economic disparities: The unequal distribution of wealth worsened during the post-COVID recovery, impacting income and exacerbating homelessness risk. Despite a thriving economy, rising inflation eroded buying power for the working classes and further burdened those on the margins most at risk of becoming unhoused..
2. Housing affordability: Skyrocketing housing costs, rents, and mortgage rates make homeownership unattainable for many. The resulting housing competition leaves numerous Americans without shelter.
3. End of COVID-era assistance: Stimulus packages and protective programs that aided struggling Americans during the pandemic expired in 2023, contributing to worsening living conditions and increased homelessness.
4. Immigration surge: As Congress remains unable to pass immigration reform, record numbers of hopeful migrants and asylum seekers continue to cross America’s southern border. This influx strains resources in major cities.
5. Limited healthcare access: Many of those experiencing chronic homelessness are trapped in cycles of poverty connected to substance abuse or other mental health issues. A broken healthcare system burdened with high prices, restrictive insurance coverage, and limited available resources makes accessing mental health care difficult in America. California and New York are experimenting with programs that include compulsory treatment for mental health issues among those seeking government assistance.

Targeted approaches like increasing funding for people with housing insecurities or launching local pilot programs in cities like Houston and Dallas can help dent the problem. However, until these more prominent systemic factors are addressed, true housing security will remain elusive.