Homelessness hit a record high in the US this year | CNN Business

CNN - Dec 27th, 2024

Homelessness in the United States reached a record high in 2024, with over 770,000 people experiencing homelessness, marking an 18% increase from the previous year, according to a report by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Key factors contributing to this surge include a shortage of affordable housing, an influx of migrants, and natural disasters leading to displacement. The data, collected during a single night in January 2024, highlights the severe impact of the housing crisis despite recent governmental efforts to mitigate border crossings. While the report shows increased homelessness in many cities, veterans have seen an improvement, with an 8% decrease in homelessness among them, reaching the lowest number on record.

This alarming trend underscores the ongoing affordable housing crisis in the US, exacerbated by decades of under-building and soaring home prices. Despite interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, the cost of borrowing remains high, and rental costs continue to burden nearly half of renters, who spend over 30% of their income on housing. HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized the need for evidence-based strategies to combat homelessness. This data, although nearly a year old, serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need to address the housing shortage and improve access to affordable, quality housing for all Americans.

Natural Disasters Us Homelessness Department Of Housing And Urban Development Adrianne Todman Affordable Housing Crisis Veterans Homelessness Migrant Influx

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RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the state of homelessness in the United States, using recent data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. It effectively highlights the factors contributing to the increase, such as lack of affordable housing and natural disasters, while also acknowledging the improvements in veteran homelessness. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives and improved source attribution. It remains clear and informative, though some segments might require deeper contextual exploration and verification.

Accuracy

The article bases its claims on data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, which lends credibility to its factual assertions. The figures mentioned, such as the 770,000 people experiencing homelessness and the 18% increase from 2023, are specific and presumably sourced from reliable government data. However, some claims, like the impact of natural disasters, are not backed by specific examples or data within the article, which could have strengthened the accuracy. The article correctly notes the decrease in veteran homelessness, citing a reduction from 35,574 in 2023 to 32,882 in 2024. Overall, while the main data points are accurate, the article would benefit from additional verification of certain causal claims.

Balance

The article presents a primarily data-driven narrative on homelessness, focusing on the increase in numbers and attributing it to factors like affordable housing shortages and migration. It quotes Adrianne Todman, which offers a governmental perspective but lacks viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as non-governmental organizations or affected individuals. The mention of improvements in veteran homelessness provides some balance, but there's little discussion of potential counterarguments or differing analyses of the data. A more balanced approach might include perspectives from housing advocates or economists who could offer alternative interpretations of the trends.

Clarity

The article is generally well-written, with a clear structure that progresses logically from the presentation of the data to the discussion of contributing factors and specific improvements in veteran homelessness. The language is accessible, and the tone remains neutral, avoiding emotive language. However, the narrative could benefit from more explicit explanations of certain terms and data points, such as how the '30% of income on housing' figure is determined. While the article is coherent, there are areas where further elaboration would enhance reader understanding, especially for those less familiar with housing economics.

Source quality

The primary source for the article is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is a credible governmental body. However, the article doesn't cite specific reports or provide direct links to the data, making it difficult for readers to verify the information independently. Additional sources, such as academic studies or expert interviews, could enhance the article's depth and credibility. The lack of diverse sourcing limits the robustness of the article's claims, and there appears to be a reliance on a single governmental perspective without corroborating evidence from other reliable entities.

Transparency

The article provides some context, such as noting the data is from January 2024 and may not reflect current conditions. It acknowledges the impact of broader economic factors, such as interest rates and housing costs, on homelessness. However, there is limited transparency regarding the methodologies used by HUD in collecting the data, and no mention of potential conflicts of interest or biases in the data presentation. The article could improve by offering more insights into how the data was gathered and analyzed, as well as any limitations or uncertainties in the findings.