HUD Launches Initiatives and Funding to Combat Rising Homelessness Crisis

HUD unveiled new strategies and $39.8 million in funding to combat rising homelessness, while reporting significant progress in veteran housing solutions.

The issue of homelessness in the United States has reached alarming levels this year, with a staggering 18.1% increase affecting over 770,000 individuals.

A recent report indicates that on one night in January 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness surpassed 770,000.

Although the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) acknowledges that this data may not reflect the current situation accurately, they have simultaneously rolled out new strategies aimed at tackling this critical issue.

Progress in Veteran Homelessness

Among the more hopeful findings in HUD’s Point-In-Time Count Report is a notable decline in veteran homelessness, which has dropped to its lowest level recorded to date—decreasing by 8% from 35,574 in 2023 to 32,882 in 2024.

The unsheltered veterans’ numbers have also seen progress, falling nearly 11% from 15,507 in the previous year to 13,851 this year.

Through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, HUD has helped nearly 90,000 veteran households secure rental housing.

Moreover, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported an impressive achievement, housing 47,925 veterans experiencing homelessness in 2024—the highest figure since 2019.

Adrianne Todman, HUD’s top official, expressed her strong belief that no American should experience homelessness.

She underscored the Administration’s determination to ensure that every family has access to safe, affordable housing.

While acknowledging the limitations of the existing data, she stressed the importance of utilizing evidence-based strategies to both prevent and end homelessness, particularly highlighting the dramatic 55.2% drop in veteran homelessness since 2010.

Innovative Housing Solutions

In a move to improve housing solutions, HUD has introduced regulatory updates aimed at simplifying the conversion of surplus federal properties for use as affordable housing and essential services.

Approximately $39.8 million will be dedicated to supporting veterans through the HUD-VASH program.

These regulatory refinements follow a collaborative effort with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), inviting states to join the second cohort of the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator.

This initiative seeks to equip states with specialized technical help as they confront homelessness, specifically by addressing the health-related social needs of vulnerable groups, including older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Working alongside the General Services Administration (GSA) and HHS, HUD is also leveraging underused federal properties to create more housing opportunities for those in need.

So far, over 140 properties across the country have been effectively repurposed for this purpose.

Comprehensive Support for Stability

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized that temporary shelter alone is not enough.

He pointed out that individuals facing homelessness require a holistic range of services to secure affordable, stable housing.

With Title V, the federal government now has the authority to transform vacant properties into spaces that provide both housing and necessary services.

Furthermore, the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator is designed to bolster support for older adults and individuals with disabilities by offering technical assistance and facilitating the exchange of best practices among different sectors.

Becerra expressed pride in these innovative efforts to utilize excess federal properties to assist those in urgent need of stability.

Source: Housingwire