The United States has witnessed an 18% increase in homelessness over the past year, marking the sharpest rise in decades. This surge is attributed to the escalating cost-of-living crisis, which has left countless individuals and families unable to afford housing.
Skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and inflationary pressures have pushed vulnerable populations into precarious living situations, exacerbating an already critical issue. Major cities are bearing the brunt of this crisis, with shelters overwhelmed and many forced to sleep on the streets.
Advocacy groups and policymakers are calling for urgent action, including increased affordable housing initiatives, expanded social safety nets, and measures to tackle income inequality. Without swift intervention, experts warn that the crisis could deepen, leaving even more people without a place to call home.