As of January 2024, approximately 771,480 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual point-in-time (PIT) count

. This figure represents a significant increase from previous years, with homelessness rising by about 18% over the past year and a 30% increase since 2022

. Key points about homelessness in the U.S. include:

• The 2024 PIT count found about 771,400 homeless individuals nationwide, marking the highest number recorded since HUD began annual counts in 2007

• The number of homeless people increased by roughly 118,300 from 2022 to 2024, linked to factors such as rising housing costs, inflation, natural disasters, and increased migration to cities

• Over half of the homeless population lives in the 50 largest cities, with New York City and Los Angeles alone accounting for about one-quarter of all homeless individuals in the country

• Homelessness affects various demographic groups disproportionately, with higher representation among Hispanic, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American populations, and males

• In 2023, over 653,000 people were homeless, including about 111,620 children, showing a trend of increasing homelessness over several years

It is important to note that the PIT count captures homelessness on one night and may undercount those temporarily staying with others or in unstable housing situations, so the true number of people experiencing homelessness over a longer period is likely higher

. In summary, the most reliable recent estimate is that around 770,000 to 771,000 people were homeless on a single night in early 2024 in the U.S., reflecting a growing homelessness crisis driven by economic and social factors