These 20 Cities Have the Highest Homeless Populations in the US. 2025

According to the most recent Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), approximately 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness across the United States on a single night in January 2023.

This figure marks a 12% increase from the previous year, with an estimated 70,650 more individuals falling into homelessness since 2022.

To put this in perspective, as of 2025, the U.S. population sits at around 346,163,343, making the homeless population nearly 1 in every 530 people. This sharp rise represents the most significant year-over-year increase since HUD began tracking nationwide data in 2007.

The AHAR, which helps inform congressional and HUD funding decisions, is based on Point-in-Time (PIT) counts conducted annually. Volunteers, outreach staff, and service providers collect the data, offering a snapshot of homelessness on a given night in January.

Rising Numbers and Worsening Trends

Homelessness is no longer confined to specific pockets of urban poverty—it’s a widespread issue affecting both major metropolitan areas and suburban and rural communities. Key national trends between 2020 and 2023 include:

These shifts mirror ongoing economic pressures, the housing affordability crisis, and the winding down of pandemic-era assistance programs like the federal eviction moratorium and rental relief.

1. New York City, New York

New York City tops the list with over 350,000 people experiencing homelessness, including the highest sheltered population in the U.S.—132,076 people nightly, as reported by the Coalition for the Homeless.

The situation is driven by skyrocketing rents, a loss of 1.1 million affordable housing units since the 1990s, and an affordable housing vacancy rate below 1%, according to NYC Comptroller data.

Last year, 119,000 students in New York City were experiencing homelessness. This is a humanitarian crisis. Everyone deserves a safe and dignified place to stay – especially our children.https://t.co/LFiXMBCyJL

— Win (@WINNYC_ORG) November 3, 2023

In the 2022–2023 school year alone, over 119,000 NYC schoolchildren were homeless. Black and Hispanic/Latinx families are vastly overrepresented in shelters, and a significant percentage of homeless adults report disabilities, mental illness, or substance use.

The city’s Right to Shelter law, in place since 1981, guarantees shelter to anyone who requests it, which has kept tens of thousands off the streets, but also pushed the system past its limit—especially with an influx of new asylum seekers, who now make up nearly half the shelter population.

Shelter stays are extremely long—an average of 412 days for individuals and up to 750 days for adult families. Advocates are calling for expanded rental assistance, more permanent housing vouchers, and a revival of the city’s once-robust affordable housing pipeline.

2. Los Angeles, California

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), homelessness in Los Angeles County decreased slightly by 0.3% in 2024, standing at 75,312 individuals, with a notable 5.1% drop in unsheltered homelessness.

The number of visible tents and makeshift shelters also declined by 9.2%, suggesting short-term success in relocating individuals to temporary housing. Additionally, veteran homelessness dropped by nearly 23%, and transitional-age youth homelessness declined by 16.2%.

However, structural challenges persist: 31% of the county’s homeless population is Black, despite making up only 8% of the total population. More than 40% of individuals are chronically homeless, and over 37% are survivors of domestic violence.

The Metro, South LA, and San Fernando Valley regions account for the bulk of the homeless population, with Antelope Valley showing the largest regional spike at +42%.

City officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, have embraced an “Inside Safe” strategy to transition encampments into housing. Still, experts warn that affordable housing shortages, lack of mental health care, and poverty remain entrenched—and without deeper reform, short-term wins may not hold.

3. Seattle, Washington

Seattle’s homelessness crisis reached its highest point ever in 2024, with over 16,000 individuals reported across King County—a 23% increase from 2022. The number of people living unsheltered surged to 9,810, while sheltered homelessness also grew significantly to 6,575, according to The Seattle Times.

This dramatic rise is attributed largely to housing unaffordability, especially in a tech-driven housing market that continues to push out lower-income residents. Although Seattle has ramped up encampment cleanups and downtown revitalization efforts, these efforts often lack adequate long-term housing follow-through.

Officials warn that critical shelter services may face cuts in 2025 due to budget constraints, according to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, threatening to reverse recent progress. The city is stuck in a tug-of-war: record investments in shelter and housing on one side, and rising rents, addiction, and displacement on the other.

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s administration continues to emphasize coordination, but with more than 27% of the region’s homeless unsheltered, advocates argue the system needs a structural overhaul, not just emergency response.

4. San Diego, California

San Diego County’s 2024 PIT count revealed 10,605 people experiencing homelessness, a 3% rise over the previous year, according to the CBS8 Report.

Of these, 6,110 were unsheltered, including a sharp 44% increase in people living in their cars. This trend reflects the deepening housing crisis — despite creative solutions like safe parking and safe sleeping sites, which housed 757 individuals but are still classified as “unsheltered” by federal definitions.

Regional disparities were stark: cities in North San Diego County experienced massive increases — Encinitas (68%), Carlsbad (86%), Vista (93%), and San Marcos exploded by over 1,600%. These increases have strained local systems and triggered emergency responses, including new navigation centers and mobile health teams.

Most notably, 81% of individuals counted were experiencing homelessness for the first time, highlighting the unstable economic conditions and sky-high housing costs fueling the crisis. 

5. Denver, Colorado

The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s 2024 report recorded 9,977 people experiencing homelessness, marking a 10% year-over-year increase, with Denver alone accounting for 6,539 individuals — up 12% from the prior year.

That said, the city also made measurable progress: unsheltered homelessness dropped by 10.5%, and family homelessness on the streets plummeted by 82.5%. The number of tent encampments decreased by 23%, supported by over $100 million invested into non-congregate shelters and micro-community models.

Mayor Mike Johnston has made tackling homelessness a key campaign promise, launching initiatives that prioritize “housing-first” and rapid sheltering models. However, 4,300 newly arrived immigrants — many staying in temporary shelters — were not included in the official PIT tally, hinting that actual need is even higher, according to Denverite.

While critics say the city still has work to do, few metro areas have matched Denver’s speed in reducing visible homelessness, particularly among families.

6. Phoenix, Arizona

In 2024, the Point-in-Time count for Maricopa County recorded 9,435 people experiencing homelessness, reflecting a small drop from 2023. Despite this, the scale of the crisis remains significant, especially in Phoenix, where the city has added 83% of all new shelter beds countywide since the pandemic began, according to the Maricopa County PIT Report.

Sheltered homelessness increased due to expanded resources, while unsheltered numbers declined, in part due to heavy rainfall during the 2024 PIT count, which likely brought more people indoors.

Key providers like St. Vincent de Paul are operating at full capacity nightly, sheltering around 320 people. However, Phoenix’s gains have not been matched across the county, and evictions are rising in surrounding municipalities — a worrying trend for future counts.

As Mayor Kate Gallego noted in her homelessness strategy announcement, the burden of sheltering is disproportionately falling on Phoenix, and without regional collaboration, long-term solutions may be out of reach.

7. San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s 2024 PIT Count shows the city’s homeless population rose 7% to 8,323 people, despite increased shelter options and supportive services, as noted by the.

The sheltered population grew by 18%, but unsheltered numbers remain nearly unchanged, still over 4,300 people living without shelter. The sharpest increase came from families, an 82% surge from 605 to 1,103, mostly attributed to rising housing costs and evictions.

@themonicamadden San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced on Monday his most specific plan to date about how the city will tackle its homelessness and behavioral health crisis under his leadership. It’s an issue that has plagued SF Mayors for decades, so will this time be different? #sanfrancisco #homelessness #sf #bayarea @ABC7 News ♬ original sound – Monica Madden

Chronic homelessness also ticked upward, reaching 2,989 people, and 28% of the homeless population identifies as LGBTQ+, showing persistent overrepresentation.

Critics argue the city’s “Housing First” model is too often a revolving door for those with untreated mental illness and addiction, especially as 51% of homeless individuals self-report substance use.

While Mayor London Breed’s office continues to expand housing options and shelter capacity, many advocates say San Francisco needs more rehabilitation alternatives, better enforcement, and faster pathways to stability.

8. Las Vegas, Nevada

Clark County, home to Las Vegas, is experiencing its highest level of homelessness in a decade, with 7,928 people recorded in 2024 — a 56% increase over the past three years, according to the 2024 Clark County Homeless Count.

Of these, 4,202 individuals were unsheltered, sleeping outdoors or in vehicles. Alarmingly, the return-to-homelessness rate hit 28.59% in 2023, far above the national average of 16.5%. Meanwhile, the length of shelter stays has dropped (now 71 days, down from 111 in 2018), but so has successful long-term placement.

Only 1 in 8 homeless individuals receive a housing referral, and with just 7 new permanent supportive or rapid rehousing slots opening monthly, the housing bottleneck is deepening. The demographic breakdown reveals an overrepresentation of Black individuals (42%), and a majority male population.

With demand surging and system capacity stagnating, advocates stress the need for substantially increased funding and diversion strategies to prevent first-time homelessness, while improving retention for those placed into housing.

9. Sacramento, California

Sacramento has become a rare national success story, with the 2024 Point-in-Time count recording a 28.7% decrease in total homelessness since 2022, falling to 6,615 individuals, according to the Sacramento Steps Forward PIT Report.

The largest driver of this decrease was a 40.8% drop in unsheltered homelessness, while the sheltered population increased slightly. This reversal followed the city’s large-scale investments in shelter beds, expanded outreach, and a push toward transitional housing and micro-communities.

All told, Sacramento’s rate of homeless per 100,000 residents is now almost double that of San Francisco—which has long served as the poster child for those concerned with the metastasizing homelessness crisis.https://t.co/KCagK1B59f

— The Nation (@thenation) February 5, 2024

Demographic data reveal that over 83% of Sacramento’s homeless are adults over 24, with children under 18 making up 10%, and a significant presence of families — 16.7% of the total population are in households with minors.

While progress is clear, racial disparities and gaps in permanent supportive housing remain. Sacramento’s future strategy includes expanding its stock of affordable homes and focusing more directly on mental health and substance-use-related homelessness.

10. Portland, Oregon

Despite spending over $1.7 billion on housing and homeless services, Portland’s homeless population reached 6,297 in 2023, up 65% since 2015, according to Portland.gov.

The city added 4,608 affordable housing units and housing subsidies for over 35,000 people, but demand still far exceeds supply. Even with the expansion of shelter beds from 800 to 2,000, the vast majority of homeless individuals remain unsheltered, often due to untreated mental illness or substance abuse.

Substance use, especially fentanyl, is now the leading cause of death among the city’s homeless under age 50. A 2022 report estimated 58–88% of unhoused individuals suffer from some form of addiction or dependency.

To address sanitation and safety issues, city officials evaluate 115 encampment sites daily, and clear about 16 per day. Still, advocates argue the city is stuck in a “whack-a-mole” approach, without enough permanent supportive housing or behavioral health beds to stem the tide.

11. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s 2023 PIT count identified 6,139 individuals experiencing homelessness. Most — 5,149 people — were living in shelters, while unsheltered homelessness dropped to 990, down from 1,263 in 2022, as noted by the.

Much of this improvement is attributed to the Expedited Housing Initiative, which has housed over 330 unsheltered households since 2020. Still, shelter utilization rose by 14%, driven by reduced COVID relief and a growing number of asylum seekers, who now account for 42% of shelter residents.

The demographic breakdown reveals continued disparities: Black residents make up 69% of the homeless population, while Latinx and White individuals each represent 14%. Additionally, 79% of unsheltered individuals are male, reflecting a sharp gender divide.

While the number of people living outdoors is down, Chicago’s housing affordability crisis, the influx of migrants, and overburdened shelter systems keep the challenge complex.

12. Oakland, California

Oakland’s homeless population grew to 5,490 people in 2024, a 9% increase since 2022. While the number is still rising, the rate of growth has slowed significantly compared to previous years: from 47% between 2017–2019, to 24% in 2019–2022, and now 9%, according to Oaklandside Report.

Approximately 67% of those experiencing homelessness in Oakland remain unsheltered, living in tents, vehicles, or encampments. Despite this, Alameda County overall saw a 3% decrease in homelessness, thanks in part to targeted youth and veteran services.

Pandemic-era programs like Roomkey (temporary hotel housing) and Homekey (building conversions to permanent supportive housing) played a major role in reducing unsheltered numbers. Oakland also received nine state Homekey awards for long-term housing infrastructure.

Concerns remain about future surges, especially following the end of eviction moratoriums in 2023, though no major spike has yet materialized. The city continues to push collaborative strategies with Alameda County to house its most vulnerable residents.

13. Boston, Massachusetts

The City of Boston saw its total homeless population grow by 17.2% in 2023, bringing the number to 5,202 individuals — up from 4,439 in 2022, as detailed in the Boston Annual Homeless Census.

The increase was especially pronounced among families with children: 3,399 people were counted, with over 3,300 in emergency shelters. At the same time, street homelessness among single adults rose by 42%, a sign of rising housing instability.

Boston’s housing-first model continues to provide vital support, particularly to youth and veterans, but the 2023 census revealed that unaccompanied youth rose nearly 29%, while domestic violence survivors decreased by 30.1%, potentially reflecting targeted outreach success.

Despite the increase, Boston has reduced homelessness by 32% since 2015, signaling long-term progress — even as the national average rose 3% over the same period.

14. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia reported 5,191 people experiencing homelessness in January 2024 — its third consecutive annual increase, as detailed in the City of Philadelphia’s PIT Count Report.

The most notable spike came from a 38% jump in unsheltered homelessness, with the number climbing from 706 in 2023 to 974 in 2024. Areas like Kensington and Center City were especially affected; Kensington alone accounted for 35% of unsheltered individuals.

Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services today released the results of the 2024 Point-In-Time (PIT) count, showing that homelessness has increased for the third year in a row with 5,191 individuals experiencing homelessness. https://t.co/xcGbvFpO30

— Project HOME (@ProjectHOME) September 23, 2024

Although sheltered homelessness rose more modestly, Philadelphia remains a city with high shelter utilization. In 2024, 4,215 people were in shelters or transitional housing — including 1,158 people from 370 families with children, of whom 727 were minors.

Philadelphia’s infrastructure of emergency shelters, safe havens, and transitional housing has expanded, yet the growth in visible homelessness suggests deeper challenges related to housing affordability, opioid use, and poverty across key ZIP codes.

15. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. reported 4,922 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2023, a 12% increase from the previous year and the highest per-capita rate of homelessness in the nation — 73 per 10,000 residents, according to the HUD 2023 AHAR.

Despite this year’s spike, homelessness in the District has decreased by 7.5% since 2007, showing long-term investment in housing solutions. A key success: only 17% of the homeless population is unsheltered — significantly better than the national average of 40%.

However, racial and age disparities remain stark. Black residents make up 81% of the homeless population but only 45% of D.C.’s total population. Additionally, 30% of the homeless are 55+, compared to the national average of 20%, according to the Homeward DC Strategic Plan.

Family homelessness accounts for 25% of total homelessness, and while 230 new housing vouchers were added in FY2024, advocates argue the city must ramp up voucher programs and deeply affordable housing to reverse the trend, as per DHS FY24 PMMR.

16. Fresno, California

In Fresno and Madera counties, the 2023 Point-in-Time count found 4,493 people experiencing homelessness, a 7% rise from 2022 according to the FMCoC Executive Summary.

Of this group, 61% were unsheltered, while 32% were staying in emergency shelters, and 7% in transitional housing. A significant 33% are chronically homeless, while over one-third report mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Youth under 18 made up 9% of the population, and 6% were over age 64. Veterans also accounted for 6%, and 19% were survivors of domestic violence, indicating diverse and overlapping vulnerabilities.

Worryingly, the total housing inventory dropped by 25% in 2023. While 3,814 year-round beds remain, they were 91% utilized at the time of the count — a significant operational improvement, but not nearly enough to meet regional demand.

Fresno’s challenge remains twofold: a growing unsheltered population, and a shrinking shelter infrastructure, despite high utilization rates.

17. Miami, Florida

In Miami-Dade County, roughly 3,800 individuals are homeless, with 1,033 unsheltered, many facing life-threatening heat exposure, particularly in Miami Beach. Summer outreach programs distributed over 12,000 water bottles as part of “Operation Summer Relief,” as noted by CBS Miami.

However, Miami Beach’s approach is increasingly punitive. In June and July 2024, the city made 114 arrests under an anti-camping ordinance, enforcing a new Florida state law banning camping on public property while offering designated encampment sites.

Although 86 shelter beds are currently leased in shelters like Camillus House, many people refuse to enter them, citing PTSD, lack of privacy, or rigid rules. Activists like Valerie Navarrete argue that criminalization worsens the crisis and calls for more trauma-informed services.

To expand housing options, Miami-Dade’s Homeless Trust is exploring the conversion of a Cutler Bay hotel into subsidized housing, while Mayor Francis Suarez raised $1.2 million for Hermanos de la Calle, a nonprofit dedicated to long-term housing support.

18. Dallas, Texas

Dallas is bucking the national trend. While homelessness is rising in most U.S. cities, Dallas and neighboring Collin County have posted three consecutive years of decline, reporting a 12% drop in 2024 and a 19% overall reduction since 2021 as per KERA News report.

The success is largely attributed to a $72 million investment in Housing Forward’s encampment resolution strategy, which has transitioned people from the streets into permanent housing with support services. Over 95% of encampment residents accepted housing when offered.

@trollboss214 is this accurate? #dallas #dallastx #DFW #texas #fyp #fypシ ♬ Occult/Mystery/Horror Suspense(844669) – ｍｍ

Despite the progress, racial inequities remain: while Black residents account for just 19% of total households, they are overrepresented in the homeless population — a statistic highlighting deeper systemic challenges.

Dallas launched a “system transformation” strategy in 2020, creating more coordination between agencies, expanding street outreach, and increasing access to federal grants. As a result, homelessness among veterans has dropped by 21%, youth homelessness by 22%, and family homelessness by 15%.

19. Long Beach, California

Long Beach recorded its first decline in homelessness since 2017 — a 2.1% decrease in 2024, bringing the total to 3,376 individuals (source). This came after a dramatic 62% spike in the immediate post-pandemic years, signaling a modest reversal of alarming trends.

According to Mayor Rex Richardson, the reduction is an encouraging sign of progress after the city declared a state of emergency and invested over $60 million in homelessness programs.

Encouraging trends include a 47% decrease in youth homelessness (ages 18–34) and a 37% drop among minors under 18. However, homelessness among people aged 35–44 rose 11%, and those aged 45–54 saw a 6.2% increase — suggesting a generational shift.

Long Beach helped 227 individuals transition to self-sufficiency, while 733 people are currently enrolled in permanent housing programs.

Still, some advocates, such as Christine Berry, criticize the “housing first” approach as a “revolving door” for those with untreated addiction and mental illness, according to NBC Los Angeles. Berry argues that the city should pair housing with mandatory rehabilitation or legal accountability to truly address root causes.

20. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio experienced a notable 6.8% increase in homelessness in 2024, with 3,372 individuals counted in the city’s annual PIT count. This rise was largely attributed to inflation, increased rent, and the drawdown of federal aid, according to Express News.

While sheltered homelessness rose by 8.9%, unsheltered homelessness also grew slightly by 1.6%. The most dramatic spike came from better reporting and outreach: chronic homelessness jumped by 35%, indicating improved data but also a growing need.

Demographically, Latinos make up 45% of San Antonio’s homeless population — underrepresenting their share of the general population — while Black individuals account for 20%, a disproportionate figure given they make up only 7% of the city.

New housing solutions are underway: Towne Twin Village, a community-based housing model with support services, is helping the city respond to long-term homelessness. These efforts reflect San Antonio’s growing focus on permanent supportive housing, which has shown 98% retention rates.

Methodology

We based the article on the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) by HUD, supported by Point-in-Time (PIT) counts and local government data from 2024.

Each city’s profile was built using verified statistics, city-level homelessness dashboards, and recent local news coverage to ensure relevance and accuracy.

We analyzed year-over-year trends, demographic disparities, and policy responses to highlight both challenges and efforts at addressing homelessness.

Data categories were standardized for consistency, covering total homeless counts, age, race, shelter status, chronicity, and housing initiatives.

References:

1. HUD.gov – 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR)
2. City of Philadelphia – 2024 Point-in-Time Count Summary Report
3. Boston.gov – 2023 Boston Homeless Census Results
4. Sacramento Steps Forward – 2024 PIT Count Full Report
5. Oaklandside – Homelessness in Oakland Has Grown, But More Slowly
6. Express News – San Antonio’s Homeless Count Up 6.8% in 2024
7. NBC Los Angeles – Annual Homeless Count Begins in Long Beach
8. KERA News – Homelessness Declining in Dallas and Collin Counties
9. CBS Miami – Operation Summer Relief Helps Protect Miami Beach Homeless
10. FMCoC – 2023 Fresno-Madera PIT Executive Summary
11. HUDUser – HUD 2023 AHAR Part 1: Nationwide Data
12. NYC.gov – DHS FY24 Preliminary Mayor’s Management Report
13. Homeward DC – Strategic Plan FY2021–FY2025
14. Chicago.gov – 2023 PIT Count – Chicago One-Pager
15. Portland.gov – Mayor’s Office: Homelessness Response
16. Clark County NV – Homeless Population Hits 10-Year High
17. CBS8 San Diego – San Diego Homeless Count Shows 3% Increase
18. Maricopa Association of Governments – 2024 PIT Count Report
19. Denverite – Mayor Mike Johnston’s Campaign Promises: Housing & Homelessness
20. Tableau Public – Metro Denver 2024 PIT Count Dashboard
21. Join Rex Richardson – Housing Initiatives by Long Beach Mayor