HUD’s Latest Homeless Count: Progress, Pitfalls, and a Warning

Federal Data Shows Historic Declines in Family Homelessness, But Funding Cuts Threaten to Undo Years of Progress

A lot has been said about the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s latest snapshot count of people experiencing homelessness. Still, the data made one thing excruciatingly clear, the work is far from over.

Last year, HUD counted more than 745,000 individuals who were homeless in the U.S., which represents a 3% decline from 2024. That was the first annual decline captured in several years and came after the Biden administration approved more than $5 billion in federal grants to support the construction of permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and the expansion of homeless services.

That top-line figure certainly deserves to be celebrated. The number of people living in rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing increased by roughly 5% across the board. At the same time, the number of people living unsheltered decreased by nearly 3% from more than 274,000 to roughly 266,000 as of 2025. The trend shows that investing in housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness works.

But the report also captured some concerning data. For instance, chronic homelessness increased from more than 152,000 people in 2024 to over 155,000 in 2025. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness also showed a slight increase, which suggests that many of the housing units and services that received money were unable to serve these individuals.

“Homelessness is down because President Biden funded things that we know work, like housing and support,” Jesse Rabinowitz, spokesperson for the National Homelessness Law Center, said in a press release. “Sadly, the Trump administration is doing everything they can to backtrack on this progress.”

What’s Working, and Why

One of the main highlights of the latest federal report is that multiple hard-to-serve populations recorded declines in the number of people who are homeless. A couple of notable groups include families with children, unaccompanied youth, and homeless veterans.

The latest report showed an 11% decline year-over-year in the number of families with children experiencing homelessness, one of the largest single-year drops on record. This happened at a time when the rising cost of living put many affordable homes out of reach for low-income earning families, according to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Families with children are often difficult for service providers to help because of their complex needs. For instance, a family may be hesitant to pull their child out of a particular school where they have made friends. Emergency shelters often do not allow children, which can limit the ability of families to find places to live after becoming homeless.

Unaccompanied youth can be just as difficult to serve as families with children, and yet HUD’s report recorded a nearly 8% decline in homelessness among this group. Unaccompanied youth are defined as school-aged children who are homeless without a parent or guardian.

One of the primary barriers that this group faces is access to shelter. Many emergency shelters do not allow children under the age of 18 to stay overnight. Moreover, shelter space for youth is often limited, which makes it even more difficult for service providers to connect this group with housing options.

The slight decline in military veterans experiencing homelessness is also a notable accomplishment. Even though this group recorded a less than 1% decline in homelessness between 2024 and 2025, there has been a more than 56% reduction in veteran homelessness across the U.S. since 2009. The Department of Veterans Affairs said in a 2022 report that the primary driver of this decline was the adoption of Housing First, which prioritizes placing someone in a stable home before they are required to connect with additional services.

“HUD’s data proves that even with the unrelenting demand for assistance, the housing-focused programs and strategies at the heart of homelessness response can and do work when they are appropriately resourced,” Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a press release.

Where the Data Gets Complicated

HUD’s latest snapshot count also captured some concerning trends. The increases in chronic homelessness, individual cases of homelessness, and seniors experiencing homelessness are some of the main issues highlighted in the national report.

Over the last 12 months, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness grew from over 512,000 to more than 515,000. This increase illustrates how the lack of permanent supportive housing in cities across the country makes it difficult for service providers to notch sustained declines in homelessness. According to NAEH data, homelessness programs have enough permanent supportive housing units for just 9.5% of people in need.

The increase in chronic homelessness also reveals how the billions that were funneled into the homeless services system under the Biden administration were largely spent resolving easy-to-reach cases. People who are chronically homeless often have complex cases of trauma that can make it difficult for them to leave homelessness easily. Oftentimes, there are co-occurring behavioral, mental, and physical health issues that need to be addressed in cases of chronic homelessness that often require more intensive care than some service providers can offer.

The number of senior citizens aged 65 and older who are experiencing homelessness also increased by 6.8% between 2024 and 2025, according to the latest HUD data.

As the Metro Denver Homelessness Initiative explained in its latest state of homelessness report, senior citizens face a unique “double burden” of housing instability and declining health. That is one reason why this population has been particularly vulnerable to the sharp rise in home prices over the last year.

“Perhaps more than any other demographic, older adults highlight the urgent reality that housing is healthcare,” MDHI’s report reads. “Success for this group means moving beyond a bed in a shelter toward a permanent home that can accommodate their changing physical and health needs.”

Some experts have predicted that these trends are likely to continue to worsen as the Trump administration continues its efforts to reduce federal funding for homeless services. Since last year, the administration has attempted to rewrite the qualifications to receive homeless services funding, an effort that was blocked by a federal judge because of the chaos it would inject into the system. The administration has also slashed billions of dollars from the federal budget that would go toward these services.

Oliva said it was clear the Trump administration “has largely deprioritized these tools and worked to dismantle the very systems that drove these reductions.”

“Homelessness is not partisan: when homelessness declines, we all win, no matter where you live or how you vote,” said Oliva.

How You Can Help

The data in HUD’s 2025 count tells a story of what’s possible when housing is treated as a priority. The declines in family and veteran homelessness didn’t happen by accident. They were the result of sustained investment in proven solutions. The question now is whether the political will exists to protect that progress, or whether the gains of the last several years will quietly unravel while the most vulnerable Americans pay the price.

Here’s how you can be part of the solution:

Contact your representatives. Tell them you support fair housing protections. We must ensure everyone has access to a safe and affordable home. These protections have proven effective at keeping people housed.

Share this story. Public awareness drives political will. Sharing evidence-based reporting helps counter misinformation and stigma.