Homelessness Is On the Rise, No Matter Where You Live
Homelessness is not only a problem in dense, urban centers. One-third of rural Americans say homelessness is a problem in their community.
Like any other challenge, homelessness touches every part of our country. But not surprisingly, there is a tendency to want to compare rural and urban homelessness, even though it plays out differently in rural communities than in the cities. It’s a unique problem that requires unique solutions.
Housing-insecure people usually deal with a series of blows before permanently losing shelter. Some are able to move in with friends or family, but often, that devolves into couch surfing, then living in a shelter if there is one, then living in a vehicle, and finally, makeshift outdoor camps.
In 2024, over 180,000 rural residents were homeless, either sheltered or unsheltered, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) most recent 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment to Congress (AHAR).
https://onecountryproject.substack.com/p/homelessness-is-on-the-rise-no-matter