National Homelessness Drops 3% as Ohio Sees Mixed Results in Federal Count
New federal data shows a 3% drop in U.S. homelessness, but 28 states still saw increases as North Carolina’s count surged 33% after Hurricane Helene.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — The United States recorded 745,652 homeless people during a single night in January 2025, representing a 3% decrease from the previous year, according to new federal data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The point-in-time count shows the first national decline in homelessness in recent years, though 28 states still experienced increases in their homeless populations. The survey was conducted before the Trump administration announced a policy shift away from long-term housing toward transitional housing with work and addiction treatment requirements.
Emergency Shelter Numbers Drive Decline
HUD officials said the national decrease was driven primarily by a 4% decline in people using emergency shelters. The number of unsheltered homeless individuals also fell by 3% during the same period.
The Trump administration highlighted that the overall homeless population has increased 27% since 2013, citing this as evidence that housing-first policies pursued by many cities and states have not been successful. The administration has since moved toward funding models that emphasize transitional housing with additional requirements.
State-by-State Variations Show Wide Disparities
North Carolina experienced the largest percentage increase in homelessness, with its count jumping by 3,886 people or 33%. This surge was largely attributed to Hurricane Helene, which displaced thousands of residents in fall 2024 and prompted the addition of 4,000 emergency shelter beds.
Oregon reported a 19% increase in homelessness, while Maryland saw a 17% rise. These were the only other states with increases exceeding 15%.
On the opposite end, Hawaii recorded the largest percentage decrease at 41%, followed by Illinois with a 44% reduction in its homeless population.
Families With Children Show Improvement
One notable improvement in the federal count was an 11% decline in unhoused families with children compared to 2024. This represents one of the few bright spots in addressing family homelessness across the country.
Nationwide, approximately 22 out of every 10,000 people experience homelessness on any given night. New York state reported the highest rate, with 73 out of every 10,000 residents experiencing homelessness.
The point-in-time count provides federal officials with a snapshot of homelessness across the country, though advocates note that the single-night methodology may not capture the full scope of housing instability throughout the year.
