US records highest homelessness numbers in 2023

There has been an alarming increase in the number of homeless people in the US this year, a recent government report has revealed shocking statistics. 

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development statistics, over 653,100 individuals had no house to live in January. This is a significant jump of 70,650 people over the previous year—a startling 12 percent increase—and the largest number since data collection started in 2007.

An alarming trend outlined in the report was the disproportionate representation of African Americans among the homeless population. Despite accounting for only 13 percent of the total US population, African Americans comprised 37 percent of individuals experiencing homelessness.

The report also shed light on a significant surge in homelessness within the Hispanic community, with a striking 28 percent increase—equivalent to 39,106 more people—between 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the number of families with children facing homelessness spiked by 16 percent, reversing a declining trend observed since 2012.

Among the 653,100 homeless individuals tallied in January, six out of 10 found shelter in temporary accommodations, while four out of 10 resorted to inhabiting locations unfit for human dwelling, as per the report's findings.

The report further delineated the states grappling with the most substantial homeless populations. California topped the list with 181,399 homeless individuals, trailed by New York (103,200), Florida (30,756), Washington state (28,036), Texas (27,377), and Oregon (20,142).

Experts attribute the exacerbation of the homelessness crisis in the United States to multifaceted factors, including poverty, mental health challenges, addiction issues, and an acute shortage of housing options. The interplay of these factors has contributed significantly to the escalating numbers of individuals without stable housing.