On any given night, hundreds of thousands of people across the country do not have a safe and stable place to sleep. Though this homelessness crisis affects every state, each person and community experiences homelessness differently. As a result, local data about the number of people unhoused and the resources available to them are vital.
Each year, federal and local agencies report data at the local, state, and national levels. With this information, policymakers and the public can track progress in their community and nationwide, identify gaps in homelessness response, and ensure resources are reaching those most in need.
This tool monitors the most recent state data on homelessness and housing inventory, illustrating the scale of the issue and the resources dedicated to addressing it. With these data, users can understand how different populations are affected and how federal policy and resources shape the response.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, more than 770,000 (PDF) people experienced homelessness on a given night in the US, up from 653,100 people in 2023 (PDF). Rates of homelessness vary widely, from fewer than 8 people per 10,000 residents in Mississippi and Louisiana to 80 people per 10,000 residents in Hawaii, Washington, and New York.
- Homelessness among veterans in the US has declined by 31 percent over the past decade, reflecting the success of targeted interventions and investments. In contrast, homelessness among families with children rose by 25 percent in 2024, after years of decline. These trends highlight where progress has been made and where needs are growing.
- Federal funding sources, such as those from the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Department of Veterans Affairs programs, are critical to homelessness policy, supporting approximately 175,000 and 109,000 permanent supportive housing beds nationwide, respectively.
Using the tool below, explore homelessness trends and how much your state relies on federal funding for housing programs.
What’s at stake?
Homelessness is unevenly distributed across the United States, and rates of homelessness have increased in 44 states in the past year. Investments in permanent and supportive housing solutions can reduce homelessness and mitigate harms on people and communities.
Targeted and sustained efforts to fund permanent supportive housing solutions have shown success meeting certain groups’ unique needs. For veterans, overall homelessness rates have declined 31 percent since 2015. Between 2015 and 2022, families with children saw a 20 percent decrease in homelessness but a 57 percent increase between 2022 and 2024. These trends emphasize the importance of tailored approaches.
Ultimately, housing is the solution to homelessness. Data show that effective housing solutions funded through federal sources such as McKinney‑Vento and Veterans Affairs programs have curbed homelessness rates historically. However, states’ current dependence on these sources raises questions about these programs’ stability and sustainability. If federal funding were reduced or restructured, many states would face significant challenges maintaining current levels of housing support.
Without sustained investment and targeted interventions, homelessness rates will persist nationwide. This tool offers a clearer snapshot of where resources are most needed and how funding decisions will shape outcomes.
ABOUT THE DATA
The data presented in this tool come from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point‑in‑Time (PIT) Count and the Housing Inventory Count (HIC), both collected annually by local Continuums of Care.
- Point‑in‑Time Count: Conducted nationwide each January, the PIT Count provides a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night. It includes overall counts as well as statistics on specific subpopulations.
- Housing Inventory Count: Conducted alongside the PIT, the HIC measures the number of beds available in emergency shelters, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, other permanent housing, and safe haven programs. It also tracks the share of beds supported by different federal funding sources, including McKinney‑Vento and Department of Veterans Affairs programs. In this analysis, we exclude COVID-19–related stimulus resources, such as emergency housing vouchers and American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The PIT and HIC are the most comprehensive national datasets on homelessness and housing resources and can provide useful insights into local trends, disparities, and investments. This tool builds on those datasets to make this vital information more accessible for decisionmakers and the public.
PROJECT CREDITS
This data tool was funded by the Urban Institute. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of our experts. Further information on the Urban Institute’s funding principles is available at urban.org/fundingprinciples.
RESEARCH Samantha Batko and Pear Moraras
DATA VISUALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT Rachel Marconi and Lydia Nguyen
EDITING Wesley Jenkins and Alexandra Tammaro
Let’s help communities build more secure, hopeful futures.
Today’s complex challenges demand smarter solutions. Urban brings decades of expertise to understanding the forces shaping people’s lives and the systems that support them. With rigorous analysis and hands-on guidance, we help leaders across the country design, test, and scale solutions that build pathways for greater opportunity.
Your support makes this possible.
