Today, December 27th, Federal officials released the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, providing a snapshot of homelessness across the U.S., including Kansas. The report, published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), estimates that over 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024, marking an 18% increase from 2023.

In Kansas, the homeless population totaled 2,793, a 6% rise from the previous year. Since 2007, Kansas has seen a 32% increase in homelessness, with nine out of every 10,000 residents currently affected. Kansas’ homeless rate remains a focal point as the state addresses long-term trends and national concerns surrounding housing insecurity.

Marion McFadden, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, expressed gratitude to community partners and continuums of care for their efforts to combat homelessness amid recent challenges. HUD emphasizes the importance of collaborative work to build inclusive communities and provide quality, affordable housing for all.

The report can be found at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/ahar/2024-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us.html.