The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released a report showing a modest decline in homelessness, marking the first decrease in nearly a decade. Despite this decline of over 3 percent, the levels of homelessness remain notably high by historical standards.
Approximately 746,000 individuals were counted as homeless in January 2025, as President Trump assumed office. This reflects a 28 percent increase compared to three years prior. Many researchers attribute the rise in homelessness in previous years to a significant influx of asylum seekers, some of whom have now secured housing or left the country.
The period of rising homelessness coincided with growing debate over related policies. Several Republicans, including Donald Trump, have used the high numbers to advocate for stringent measures such as camping bans and mandatory treatment for mental illness or addiction. An executive order from Trump last year called for comprehensive policy revisions, emphasizing the importance of detailed national counts.
The release of the new data, showing a small decline in homelessness, is politically charged. The report was delayed and published quietly on a Friday afternoon. In January, The New York Times had reported projections from local data suggesting a 3 to 5 percent decline, which is now confirmed by the official numbers.
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