U.S. Housing and Homelessness Crisis and Its Impact on Single Parents
Homelessness has surged in recent years, reaching unprecedented levels. HUD’s 2024 report found the overall homeless population rose 18% from 2023, driven largely by families with children. Between 2023 and 2024, there were 39% more people in families experiencing homelessness on any given night. Nearly 150,000 children were homeless on a single night in 2024, a 33% jump in one year. All categories of homelessness (unsheltered, chronic, etc.) hit record highs in 2024 except veterans, who alone saw an 8% decline due to sustained federal efforts. Older adults (age 55+) now make up one in five homeless people, and nearly half of homeless seniors sleep rough. Black Americans remain disproportionately affected: although only 12% of the U.S. population, they are 32% of those experiencing homelessness. In short, homelessness is a national crisis impacting a broad swath of society – families, seniors, people with disabilities, and communities of color – exacerbated by stagnating incomes, soaring rents, and an underfunded safety net.
