NORFOLK, Va. — Veteran homelessness is higher this year than it was in 2022, according to a new report released Friday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The report said that the number of homeless veterans jumped by more than 7.4% in 2023. Researchers found that in one single night in January, there were more than 35,000 veterans without a home.
That's compared to 33,129 veterans in 2022.
The report detailed HUD's 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, which is an "annual effort to estimate the number of Americans, including veterans, without permanent housing."
Of the veterans counted in 2023, the report said 20,067 of the veterans were experiencing sheltered homelessness, which is 2.6% higher than last year. According to the VA, these veterans often live in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or other supportive settings.
However, 15,507 of the veterans were experiencing unsheltered homelessness, which is a 14.3% increase from last year, and represents 80% of the overall increase we're seeing. The VA said these veterans are staying in places "not meant for human habitation." That includes cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings or "literally on the street."
The VA released an article in April detailing research on the negative health impacts of unsheltered homelessness. It cited difficulty accessing essential medical supplies, health records, documents and medications, as well as a lack of basic hygiene resources; all factors that can lead to disease.
The article also mentioned the potential to struggle with mental health issues like anxiety, depression and traumatic stress disorders, which put them at a higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse.
“Many Veterans face both legitimate and perceived barriers that can prevent them from engaging in certain types of care,” Dr. Jack Tsai, research director for the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, said in the article. “Previous negative interactions with VA or other social service organizations may keep some Veterans from seeking support.”
However, despite the increase, Friday's report mentioned that overall, veteran homelessness is still trending downward; since 2010, veteran homelessness has dropped 52%.
Still, the VA emphasized that "more veterans needed homeless assistance resources than the existing capacity could help."
The agency said it won't rest until every veteran has a home, and wrote:
"In collaboration with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, HUD, the Department of Labor, and other federal and local partners, VA will continue to execute evidence-based approaches, such as Housing First, to prevent and end homelessness among Veterans."