A new federal report finds homelessness in the United States reached record levels, with families especially affected, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
Key Facts:
– An estimated 772,000 people were homeless in January 2024, an 18% increase from the previous year.
– More than 80,000 of those individuals were in families with children, a 39% jump.
– Some major cities, including New York City and Chicago, reported surges caused by migrant arrivals.
– Other cities, like Denver, kept migrant counts separate and saw reduced unsheltered homelessness.
– Veteran homelessness declined by nearly 8% since last year.
The Rest of The Story:
High housing costs and a wave of asylum seekers in early 2024 pushed many shelters to their limits, especially in big cities.
While some places, such as Denver, set up separate systems for migrants, others included new arrivals in their total homeless counts, driving big spikes in the numbers.
Officials say tighter border rules since June have eased some pressure.
Cities like Denver are closing migrant shelters, claiming fewer people are now arriving.
Yet the overall homeless population remains at its highest recorded level in two decades, fueled by unaffordable rents and a shortage of low-cost housing.
REPORT: United States homelessness surges over 18% in 2024 according to federal officials.
Biden’s legacy.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says that 770,000 people are homeless under President Biden.
The surge comes after 2023 also saw a massive increase… pic.twitter.com/b2ws74tAEA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 27, 2024
Commentary:
These figures point to what happens under open border policies.
When President Joe Biden allowed millions of unvetted immigrants to cross, service systems in many cities were overwhelmed, pushing vulnerable families onto the streets.
It seems natural that too many arrivals with limited resources would spike homelessness.
Donald Trump has pledged to reverse these open border policies on day one, which would presumably curb migrant arrivals and help cities focus on existing homeless populations.
Supporters say this approach will bring much-needed relief and free up resources for struggling Americans.
The Bottom Line:
Homelessness is surging under the burden of unaffordable housing and an influx of new arrivals.
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The hope is that stricter border control and targeted support will yield relief for America’s rising homeless population.