U.S. homelessness records largest decline in over a decade

The United States recorded a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time in several years, according to data from the 2025 Point-in-Time count released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Federal data shows that 745,652 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2025. This figure represents a decline of approximately 3% to 3.3% compared to the previous year, marking the largest drop in more than a decade. Despite this reduction, the total population of individuals experiencing homelessness remains near 700,000.

The Trump administration attributes the decline to a shift in federal strategy, specifically moving away from Housing First policies toward Treatment First initiatives. HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated that the administration is prioritizing recovery and self-sufficiency, citing border security measures and the enforcement of policies regarding homeless encampments as contributing factors to the downward trend.

In contrast, homeless advocacy groups point to different drivers for the change. Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, credited the progress to the availability of targeted housing and service resources, such as the Emergency Housing Voucher program, as well as softening rental markets and the implementation of Housing First programs in specific regions.

The 2025 findings follow a period of record-high levels of homelessness, which included an 18% increase recorded in the 2024 count. The data released in mid-2026 provides a new look at the national landscape of homelessness following these recent policy shifts.