A Wake-Up Call: Reflecting on the 2024 AHAR and the Path Forward
Dear HomeAid Community,
As we look to the new year of dedicated efforts to build a future without homelessness, we are faced with sobering new data from the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) just released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This year’s report provides an urgent call to action, reflecting the most pressing challenges we have faced to date.
The 2024 AHAR: Unprecedented Numbers
The 2024 AHAR reveals that on a single night this year, 771,480 people experienced homelessness in the United States. This equates to about 23 individuals per 10,000 people in the country, making it the highest number ever recorded since data collection began. These individuals and families were either in emergency shelters, safe havens, transitional housing programs, or unsheltered locations. The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR to Congress) Part 1: Point-In-Time Estimates of Homelessness, December 2024
The numbers are staggering and reflect an 18 percent increase over the previous year. This dramatic rise highlights that homelessness is not just a crisis, but a systemic issue compounded by numerous factors.
The Factors Behind the Numbers
Several key issues have contributed to this unprecedented rise in homelessness:
Affordable Housing Crisis: The ongoing shortage of affordable housing nationwide has reached critical levels, pushing more people into housing instability.
Economic Pressures: Rising inflation and stagnating wages among middle- and lower-income households have made it increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet.
Systemic Inequities: The persisting effects of systemic racism continue to disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
Additional Stressors: Public health crises, natural disasters, increased immigration, and the expiration of key COVID-era homelessness prevention programs have stretched homelessness services systems to their limits.
Why the AHAR Matters to HomeAid
The AHAR serves as an essential tool for understanding the scale and complexity of homelessness in America. Its data helps HomeAid and other organizations identify gaps in services, prioritize resources, and craft effective solutions. At HomeAid, we use these insights to guide our work—building shelters, creating supportive housing, and collaborating with partners to address the root causes of homelessness.
Rising to the Challenge
While the numbers in the AHAR are sobering, they reinforce the importance of HomeAid’s mission. They remind us why we must continue to:
Expand our capacity to develop housing and other development projects.
Advocate for systemic changes to increase affordable housing and address economic disparities.
Support local affiliates and partners as they provide essential services to those in need.
A Call to Action for 2025
As we look to the new year, let this report ignite a renewed sense of purpose within all of us. We must come together—as individuals, organizations, and communities—to tackle homelessness with urgency and compassion. HomeAid is committed to being a leader in this fight, and we invite you to join us in our efforts.
Through collaboration, innovation, and relentless dedication, we can turn these sobering statistics into stories of hope and transformation. Together, we can build a future where everyone has a place to call home.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. As we enter 2025, let’s commit to making meaningful strides toward ending homelessness once and for all.
Warm regards,
Scott Larson
CEO, HomeAid America