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U.S. Homelessness Rises by 18%, Driven by Housing Crisis and Natural Disasters
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.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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