HUD Releases 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report

On December 15, HUD Released part one of their Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), which revealed a 12% increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night compared to 2022.

According to HUD, this is highest number of people reported to be experiencing homelessness on a single night since 2007 when reporting began.

The report, which is conducted every year, provides a glimpse into the number of individuals in shelters, temporary housing, and in unsheltered settings. More than 650,000 people were found to be experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023. Six in ten people experienced homelessness in shelters while the remaining experienced unsheltered homelessness.

Demographics of Homelessness in 2023

In 2023, the report shows that people who identify as Black or Indigenous continue to be overrepresented among the population
experiencing homelessness. Of the total number of those experiencing homelessness in the U.S., 37% identified as Black, African American, or African. Additionally, those who identified as Indigenous had the largest percentage increase in sheltered homelessness by 18% or 1,631 more people.

Of those experiencing homelessness, 72% experienced homelessness in households without children. More than 34,700 unaccompanied youth under the age of 25 were found to experiencing homelessness as well (a 15% increase from 2022). Veterans experiencing homelessness saw a 7% increase raising the total to 35,574 in 2023.

Continuums of Care (CoC)

According to data received from 381 CoCs, more than 52% of all people experiencing homelessness in the United States were located in the top 50 largest cities. This is 50,277 more people than 2022. While this may be the most notable increase, homelessness increased across all geographic categories in 2023.

The rise in homelessness also meant a rise in bed inventory. Between 2022 to 2023, bed inventory increased for those currently experiencing homelessness by 7% and for those formerly experiencing homelessness by 6%. This inventory increased across all rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and other permanent housing programs.

For the full report, please see here.

HUD Awards $10 Million in Funding for Family Unification Program Vouchers

On December 19, in a press release sent via email, HUD announced that it was awarding approximately $10 million in funding for new family unification program (FUP) vouchers. These vouchers serve families whose lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the imminent placement of the family’s child in out-of-home care or youth exiting the foster care system who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

To administer these vouchers, housing agencies work collaboratively with public child welfare agencies (PCWAs). These PCWAs refer potentially eligible households to the housing agency, which provides the voucher and any other services.

The awards were made to the housing agencies listed below.

 PHA NameVouchers AwardFunding
1.Santa Clara County Housing Authority42$1,175,590
2.Sonoma County Housing Authority53$1,182,229
3.Housing Authority of the County of San Diego49$1,131,976
4.Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver52$862,761
5.Hialeah Housing Authority44$566,650
6.Chicago Housing Authority55$778,477
7.Jefferson Parish Housing Services and Development District46$417,064
8.Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII52$376,940
9.Home Forward (Portland, OR)56  $788,081
10.Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation28$354,369
11.Housing Authority of the City of Austin50$772,020
12.Housing Authority of the County of Salt Lake dba Housing Connect50$628,548
13.King County Housing Authority (WA)48$934,197  
 Total Award625  $9,968,902

NAHRO congratulates these agencies on receiving these vouchers.