The United States has experienced an 18.1% surge in homelessness in 2024, marking a significant increase fueled by a lack of affordable housing, devastating natural disasters, and an influx of migrants, according to federal officials.

Data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reveals that over 770,000 individuals were identified as homeless during the annual January count. This figure, which excludes those staying with friends or family, represents 23 out of every 10,000 Americans and follows a 12% increase in homelessness in 2023.

Rising Family Homelessness

One of the most concerning trends is the nearly 40% increase in family homelessness. This surge was particularly pronounced in cities impacted by a rise in migrant arrivals, including Denver, Chicago, and New York City, where family homelessness more than doubled. Nationally, nearly 150,000 children were reported homeless on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% year-over-year increase.

Natural disasters also contributed to the crisis, with the catastrophic Maui wildfire displacing over 5,200 individuals in Hawaii, who were staying in emergency shelters at the time of the count.

Racial Disparities and Housing Crisis

The report highlights significant racial disparities, noting that while African Americans comprise 12% of the U.S. population, they account for 32% of the homeless population. Advocacy groups emphasize that the ongoing housing affordability crisis and insufficient investments in housing resources have exacerbated the problem.

“Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of under-investing in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing,” said Renee Willis, interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Federal and Community Responses

HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to addressing homelessness through evidence-based strategies, stressing the importance of safe, affordable housing for all families.

Despite the overall rise, there was progress in some areas. Homelessness among veterans decreased by 8% to 32,882 in 2024, with unsheltered veteran homelessness dropping by 11%. Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, highlighted the decline as a model for addressing the broader crisis through bipartisan support and adequate funding.

Cities like Dallas and Los Angeles also reported success. Dallas saw a 16% decrease in homelessness between 2022 and 2024, while Los Angeles reported a 5% decline in unsheltered homelessness since 2023.

Policy Challenges

Meanwhile, some communities have adopted stricter enforcement measures, including camping bans. This approach follows a Supreme Court ruling allowing such bans, which has sparked controversy among advocates who argue it criminalizes homelessness.

The sharp increase in homelessness contrasts with a decade of progress made between 2010 and 2020, when federal efforts, particularly for veterans, helped reduce homelessness. Experts are calling for renewed investments and policy innovations to address the growing crisis.

The United States is set to announce a $1.25 billion (€1.2 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, U.S. officials revealed on Friday. The move comes as President Joe Biden seeks to bolster Ukraine’s defenses before leaving office in January.

The comprehensive package includes a significant supply of munitions for advanced air defense systems such as the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and the HAWK air defense system. It will also deliver Stinger missiles and artillery rounds, including 155 mm and 105 mm shells, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the details have yet to be officially announced.

Timing of the Announcement

The official announcement is expected on Monday. This aid package arrives amidst intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have reported successfully intercepting a substantial number of missiles and drones targeting their power facilities.

The announcement also comes as fierce battles continue near the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean troops to reclaim territory lost to Ukraine.

Urgency Ahead of Administration Change

With only weeks left in office, the Biden administration is racing against the clock to transfer as much military support as possible to Ukraine. Concerns have arisen about the remaining $5.6 billion (€5.3 billion) in Pentagon-authorized aid for Ukraine, as officials have acknowledged that not all of it may be delivered before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

Trump has expressed skepticism about the scale of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and suggested he might pursue a negotiated settlement with Russia, claiming on the campaign trail that he could end the war “in one day.” This has sparked fears among U.S. and European leaders that support for Ukraine could diminish under his administration, potentially leaving Kyiv in a vulnerable position.

Strengthening Ukraine’s Position

The new aid package is part of the presidential drawdown authority, allowing the Pentagon to rapidly transfer weapons from its stockpiles to Ukraine. Officials hope the influx of aid will fortify Ukraine’s position should President Volodymyr Zelenskyy opt to engage in negotiations with Moscow.

Additionally, about $1.2 billion (€1.15 billion) in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative remains available for future weapons contracts, with deliveries extending beyond 2024.

If confirmed, this latest package will bring total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to over $64 billion (€61 billion) since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Russia carried out a large-scale assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, leaving widespread destruction and casualties, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The attack, described as “inhumane,” marks the thirteenth major strike on Ukraine’s power grid this year, plunging parts of the war-torn nation into a deepening energy crisis as winter intensifies.

Widespread Damage and Casualties

Explosions were reported across Ukraine during the assault, which left at least one person dead in the Dnipropetrovsk region and six injured in Kharkiv, according to Ukraine’s national police. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, located less than 20 miles from the Russian border, bore the brunt of at least seven missile strikes, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed.

The attack left half a million households in the Kharkiv region without heating amid temperatures of 3°C (37°F). Rolling blackouts have been imposed in several areas to stabilize the grid, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy provider.

Retaliatory Strikes and Regional Impact

Ukrainian forces responded by targeting a Russian command post overnight in Lgov, Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise offensive earlier this year. Local Russian authorities reported four fatalities and five injuries, including a woman in serious condition.

In Russia’s North Ossetia-Alania, the Ministry of Defense reported that falling debris from a drone shot down by air defense forces caused an explosion and fire in a Vladikavkaz shopping center, killing one person.

Symbolic Timing of the Attack

The attack coincided with Ukraine’s new Christmas celebrations on December 25, a switch from the traditional January 7 observance under the Julian calendar. President Zelensky signed a law in 2022 to align the holiday with much of Europe, further distancing Ukraine from Russian Orthodox Church traditions.

Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately choosing Christmas for the assault, calling it “a deliberate and inhumane choice of timing and targets.”

Extensive Assault on Energy Sector

More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 drones targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the attack. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down over 50 missiles and a significant number of drones, Zelensky reported. However, critical energy facilities suffered severe damage.

DTEK confirmed that its thermal power plants were heavily damaged, with equipment shelled more than 200 times since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Emergency blackouts were imposed in several regions as energy minister German Halushchenko condemned the latest strikes.

International Reactions

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted the broader threat posed by Russia, noting that a missile crossed Moldovan and possibly Romanian airspace. Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, condemned the violations, calling them a breach of international law.

Poland also scrambled fighter jets in response to missile activity near Ukraine’s western border, emphasizing the ongoing regional security risks.

The Christmas Day assault followed another deadly strike on Christmas Eve, where a missile attack on President Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih killed one and injured 17.