Rising Rents and Aid Lapses Drive US Homelessness to Record High

The United States has seen a 12% increase in homelessness, reaching its highest reported level, due to soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance. Approximately 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, marking an increase of about 70,650 individuals compared to the previous year. The rise in homelessness is primarily driven by a shortage of affordable homes and the high cost of housing, leaving many Americans living paycheck to paycheck. The increase also ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012.