Homelessness

Over 653,000 people experienced homelessness in 2023, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This is the highest count since HUD began reporting these estimates in 2007. The homeless population has been growing due to factors like higher rental prices.

Several federal agencies have programs serving those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. For example, HUD's Continuum of Care program funds supportive services—such as case management or transportation—to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Federal funding also supports local homelessness assistance providers’ efforts to help people experiencing homelessness obtain government IDs. However, federal agencies could improve how they implement these programs. 

For instance:

• Interagency collaboration. HUD is the main federal agency that works to address homelessness. It provides funding for emergency shelters, permanent housing, and transitional housing. In the event of a disaster, people experiencing homelessness, who may be in shelters or living on the streets, may be vulnerable and most severely affected. HUD and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide funding to state and local governments that can help assist the homeless population during a disaster. However, HUD and FEMA don't regularly work together on homeless housing issues during disasters and should do so to more efficiently and effectively assist this population.
• Older adult homelessness. Approximately 21% of people experiencing homelessness in 2023 were older adults, according to HUD estimates. HUD and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established the Housing and Services Resource Center to coordinate efforts to support older adults experiencing homelessness, among other populations. However, HHS should clearly define outcomes and use performance information to assess the center’s progress in achieving its goals. 

Estimated Proportion of Homelessness by Age Group in the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, January 2023

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Note: Percentages do not add to 100 because of rounding.

• Point-in-Time data. HUD also collects data on homelessness to assist with planning services for this population. However, HUD’s Point-in-Time count (count of people experiencing homelessness on a single night) may be underestimating the homeless population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD supplemented in-person enumerations by allowing local communities to use data collected by public and nonprofit agencies on people using their services—an approach that likely improved the accuracy of point-in-time counts. HUD should provide communities more information about how best to use such data to improve point-in-time counts moving forward.
• Youth homelessness. HUD and the HHS provide grants to local organizations to operate youth homelessness programs, like shelters or transitional living programs. However, some youth who are homeless may not be receiving services for which they are eligible. HUD and HHS should provide more guidance to local programs on how to help these youth access such services.
• Council on Homelessness. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness coordinates the federal response to homelessness. The Council has developed a strategic plan and benchmarks for ending veteran homelessness and chronic homelessness. However, the Council could better clarify its roles and responsibilities and establish written policies and procedures for meeting statutory requirements.