In light of the unprecedented economic strain caused by COVID-19, combined with a severe and prolonged nationwide affordable housing crisis, the numbers buck predictions that homelessness would skyrocket during the pandemic. The progress for specific populations illustrates that federal resources, when targeted to the needs of specific subpopulations and combined with best practices on the system and provider level, can and do prevent and end homelessness. Unfortunately, they also illustrate that homelessness increases among other subpopulations when these investments are not scaled or targeted to their needs.

Continued Disparities

The report continued to cast light on the severe racial inequities among people who experience homelessness. Black and Indigenous people continue to be dramatically overrepresented in homelessness systems. People who identify as Black made up 12 percent of the total U.S. population but 37 percent of all people experiencing homelessness and half of all people experiencing homelessness as members of families with children. There was also a two percent increase in unsheltered homelessness among people who identify as Black. The number of people experiencing homelessness increased slightly among other racial groups, ranging from a four percent increase among American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous to a 19 percent increase among Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders. People that identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous make up three percent of all people experiencing homelessness, but only 1.3 percent of the total U.S. population. People who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander make up two percent of all people experiencing homelessness and only 0.3 percent of the total U.S. population. Moreover, the report shows that homelessness among people identifying as Hispanic or Latino increased by eight percent between 2020 and 2022, with a 16 percent increase in those who were unsheltered. People identifying as Hispanic or Latino make up 24 percent of the total people experiencing homelessness, but only around 19 percent of the total U.S. population.

A New Federal Strategy

This year’s numbers coincided with release of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness’ (USICH) new plan, All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness (All In). This plan sets aggressive goals for reducing homelessness through a detailed and data-driven strategic framework that prioritizes homelessness prevention and racial equity in the federal government’s response to homelessness. “This year’s numbers show that we do know how to end homelessness, and our continued progress on behalf of families, youth, and veterans proves it. As emergency COVID relief measures expire, we will need federal, state, and local leaders to step up with investments to maintain and build upon this progress,” said Oliva. “The Alliance is encouraged that the commitments outlined in USICH’s Federal Strategic Plan set ambitious goals and acknowledge the government’s essential role in advancing best practices for ending homelessness. This is fundamental for turning the tide on the crisis of homelessness in America.” The post New Federal Data Shows Continued Increases in Chronic and Unsheltered Homelessness, Reductions for Families, Youth, and Veterans appeared first on National Alliance to End Homelessness.