The US homeless population declined by 3% during 2025, according to a new report published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The report uses data from a point-in-time survey conducted on a single night in January to determine the depth and scope of the homeless population. For 2025, HUD found there were 745,652 homeless persons when it conducted its survey – the department defined homelessness as people living on the street, in emergency shelters, or in transitional housing programs,
“This reflects a slight overall decrease from 2024, when homelessness reached a record high in the United States,” the report stated. “While 22 states and DC experienced decreases between 2024 and 2025, New York and Illinois accounted for the largest decreases nationwide (by 12,500 and 11,300, respectively). These declines occurred after New York and Illinois had the largest increases in homelessness between 2023 and 2024. In 2024, both states reported these increases were at least in part driven by increases in immigration.”
The report added, “In 2025, 18% of homeless persons were children, under the age of 18, and 7% were young adults between the ages of 18-24. Demographics differ depending on the type of homelessness, with few unsheltered homeless children (4%). People between the ages of 35-54 make up almost half of the total number of unsheltered homeless persons (49%).”
The report also cited a continued decline in the number of veterans who are homeless, dropping by 56% from 2009 (when veteran data was first reported) to last year.
“However, among all populations, veterans experienced the smallest decline in homelessness between 2024 and 2025, declining by about 390 veterans, or 1%,” the report added.
The release of the report was behind schedule and was the focus of a recent outburst by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who berated HUD Secretary Scott Turner during a Senate hearing for the delayed release. Turner stated the delay was the result of the recent government shutdown, which also delayed other key federal data reports.
Separately, HUD has launched an investigation into the homelessness programs coordinated by Multnomah County, Oregon, to determine if they ran afoul of the Fair Housing Act. The investigation followed a report by the Washington Free Beacon that found Multnomah County, which includes most of Portland, prioritized requests for “culturally responsive services” rather than being “homeless 12+ months” when allocating its housing services.
“As a result of its failed progressive policies, Multnomah County has one of the worst homelessness crises in America,” said Turner. “But rather than address this crisis in a fair and clear-eyed manner, the County scapegoats its most vulnerable residents and doles out housing support on the basis of race. No government benefit should be distributed based on race. HUD will enforce the Fair Housing Act.”
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