Homelessness in the United States is rising at alarming rates, coinciding with the ongoing migrant crisis that is affecting the country’s biggest cities and placing a strain on resources.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the number of homeless people counted earlier this year was at least 550,000, a 10 percent increase over the previous year, which had already marked the highest level of homelessness since the government began tracking comparable data in 2007. The number is expected to rise further as data from major cities like New York, which had the highest homeless population last year, is still outstanding.
Projections suggest that 2024 could surpass the historical record of 653,000 homeless individuals from last year. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is expected to release a comprehensive report by the end of the year.
Diane Yentel, chief executive of the nonprofit National Low Income Housing Coalition, expressed concern over the rising numbers, stating, “It’s deeply unfortunate, but it’s not surprising.”
The Wall Street Journal report also emphasizes the impact of migrants being bused to cities like Chicago and Denver and eventually taking up space in city shelters for housing. In New York City, where there is a legal right to shelter, migrants have placed additional pressure on the system. In Massachusetts, nearly half of the 7,000 families housed in state shelters are migrants, and Chicago’s homeless population is composed of more than 70 percent migrants.
In recent weeks many states have attempted to take action to mitigate the homeless problem in major US cities. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in July aimed at dismantling homeless encampments across the states, as widespread criticism over his state’s failure to crack down on the problem has continued.
The report further cited other contributing factors to the surge in homelessness, including increased drug use, particularly fentanyl, widespread mental health issues, and rising housing and rental costs, which have made it difficult for many Americans to secure stable housing.
