Homelessness news covering housing-first programs, encampments, shelter capacity, policy responses, and urban poverty.
A United Way study reveals that despite millions of vacant U.S. housing units, homelessness hit a record 771,480 in 2024. The report characterizes the crisis as an access problem rather than a shortage, noting a decline in permanent beds for chronic homelessness.
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $1.17 billion in grants to 680 organizations to address veteran homelessness. Funding includes $855 million for prevention services and $318 million for transitional housing, aiming to provide stability amid rising homelessness numbers that reached 51,936 veterans in fiscal year 2025.
A former rough sleeper in Essex challenges the UK government's pledge to end homelessness by Christmas, arguing that housing alone is insufficient without addressing underlying issues like drug addiction. The commentary uses Bill Lewis’s personal experience to suggest that sustainable solutions require comprehensive support beyond mere shelter provision.
The NSW government paid $1,797 for a homeless permanent resident's flight to New Zealand instead of providing local housing. The airline cancelled the booking, leaving Mark Hudson in Wagga Wagga. He was only offered accommodation after Guardian Australia intervened regarding the controversial encampment clearance efforts.