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In 2025, homelessness in the U.S. increased compared to previous years, with the number of people experiencing homelessness reaching a record high. This increase is evident in both sheltered and unsheltered populations, and the rise is particularly noticeable when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Key points about the increase:
Record high:
The number of people experiencing homelessness in 2025 is the highest since HUD began tracking data in 2007, according to the North American Community Hub.
Year-over-year increase:
The 2025 count shows a significant increase compared to 2024, with some areas experiencing a double-digit percentage rise.
Factors contributing to the increase:
Rising housing costs, insufficient social safety nets, and the aftermath of the pandemic are major contributing factors to the rise in homelessness.
Impact on specific populations:
While some subpopulations, like homeless youth and veterans, saw decreases in 2025, others, such as those experiencing "chronic homelessness" and families, saw increases.
Regional variations:
The increase in homelessness is not uniform across the country, with some states and cities experiencing more significant surges than others.
Undercounts:
It's important to note that point-in-time counts, which are used to track homelessness, are often considered undercounts, meaning the true number of people experiencing homelessness could be higher.