A single-night census in January of homeless shelters, temporary housing and unsheltered settings across the U.S. showed veteran homelessness rose by 7.4% from the previous year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (VA.gov)
WASHINGTON — A single-night census in January of homeless shelters, temporary housing and unsheltered settings across the U.S. showed veteran homelessness rose by 7.4% from the previous year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported.
The federal agency released its annual point-in-time snapshot of homelessness nationwide that showed an overall 12% rise across the general population from the previous year.
The one-night census, conducted in January, counted 35,574 veterans who were homeless, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported Friday after HUD released its annual homelessness report.
There were more than 650,000 Americans experiencing homelessness nationwide, according to HUD.
Many factors can contribute to the reported rise, including higher costs for housing and basic goods from inflation and the end of coronavirus-related housing support and other forms of assistance that expired, the VA said.
“The VA will investigate these barriers and do everything in its power to help veterans overcome them,” the VA said Friday afternoon, when it released homelessness numbers for veterans.
HUD data also pointed to a sharp increase in first-time homelessness in the general population.
“Between federal fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the number of people who became newly homeless increased by 25%, even as the number of people who exited homelessness to permanent housing increased by 8%,” HUD reported.
The January point-in-time count also does not reflect the VA’s push throughout 2023 to emphasize housing assistance and support.
The VA housed 38,847 veterans by Oct. 31, surpassing its calendar year goal of 38,000 veterans. The VA also awarded more than $1 billion in funding assistance for homeless veterans.
The VA disclosed plans Friday to award “hundreds of millions of dollars” in 2024 to nonprofit agencies to handle “rapid rehousing” of veterans and their families at imminent risk of homelessness.
The funds are to keep veterans and their families from losing their housing and falling into homelessness. The funds also are used to help veterans find affordable housing alternatives and overcome other barriers. The exact funding amount has yet to be determined, the VA said.
Veterans and their families will also get help paying for legal assistance in 2024 to ensure access to safe housing and to assist with debt, the VA said.
Since 2010, veteran homelessness has fallen by 52%, the VA said.
When it released the data Friday, HUD said President Joe Biden’s administration has taken “sweeping new steps” to address homelessness since the census was taken nearly a year ago.
More apartment units are on track to be built than any year on record. HUD reported it has helped nearly 500,000 households connect with support services to avoid homelessness.
“We’ve made positive strides, but there is still more work to be done,” said Marcia Fudge, the HUD secretary. “This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness in the first place.”
