Homeless population in the US rises to record levels

There were more than 653,100 homeless people in the United States in January, according to statistics from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This represents an increase of 70,650 homeless people, or 12%, from a year ago. This is the highest number of homeless people recorded in the US since records began in 2007.

New statistics show that African Americans make up 13% of the total US population but account for 37% of the total homeless population.

The largest increase in homelessness is among people who identify as Hispanic, increasing 28% in 2022-2023, or 39,106 people.

The new statistics also show that the number of families with homeless children also increased by 16%, reversing a downward trend since 2012.

Of the more than 653,100 homeless people as of January, six in 10 were living in shelters or other types of temporary facilities. Four in 10 were “in places not meant for human habitation.”

California has the largest homeless population at 181,399 people, according to the report. It is followed by New York (103,200), Florida (30,756), Washington state (28,036), Texas (27,377) and Oregon (20,142).

The homeless crisis in the US is driven by factors such as poverty, mental health, addiction and lack of housing, experts say.

The data comes as Americans face rising rates of poverty and food insecurity, USA Today reported. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, more than 12% of the country lived below the poverty line and nearly 13% said they did not have enough to eat.