The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released an estimate showing that homelessness in the United States soared by a staggering 12 percent between January 2022 and January 2023. This increase comes as emergency coronavirus pandemic assistance decreased, leaving many without the necessary resources to secure stable housing.

According to the annual assessment, which provides a snapshot of homelessness in the country, more than 650,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023. This represents a 12 percent surge from 2022, making it the highest number of people recorded as experiencing homelessness on a single night since reporting began in 2007.

The report revealed that approximately 6 in 10 homeless individuals were in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or safe-haven programs. On the other hand, the remaining 4 in 10 were experiencing homelessness in "places not meant for human habitation."

The increase in homelessness observed in 2023 returns the United States to a "pre-pandemic trend" of growth, reminiscent of the period between 2016 and 2020. In those years, homelessness steadily rose, peaking at around 580,000 people in 2020. However, during 2021 and 2022, homelessness declined due to government emergency measures put in place during the pandemic. Unfortunately, many of these resources have now expired or wound down, contributing to the current rise in homelessness.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge, stated, "Homelessness is solvable and should not exist in the United States." The administration has already implemented a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness and has been working closely with federal, state, and local partners to address this pressing issue. However, Secretary Fudge also emphasized that there is still more work to be done.

The report highlighted that the increase in homelessness was primarily driven by a sharp rise in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness for the first time. This could be attributed to factors such as higher rental prices, fewer pandemic protections, and a shortage of affordable housing.

Notably, homelessness among families with children rose by 16 percent, while the number of veterans experiencing homelessness increased by 7 percent compared to the previous year. The data also revealed that Black and Indigenous individuals continue to be overrepresented among the homeless population.

The areas that experienced the largest increases in homelessness from 2022 to 2023 were New York, California, Florida, Washington, Colorado, and Massachusetts, according to the report.

In response to the troubling data, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, along with other organizations, called the situation "tragic, yet predictable." They emphasized the need for sustained investment in evidence-based approaches to reverse the course of homelessness nationally.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, highlighted the importance of addressing the income and rent cost gap as the main driver of homelessness. They emphasized the necessity of expanding rental assistance for individuals with the lowest incomes.

As the United States faces the challenge of increasing homelessness, urgent action is needed to provide support and implement strategies that help individuals exit homelessness quickly, as well as prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place.