The number of homeless people in the United States rose 12% in a year to a record level, amid rising rents and the expiration of aid related to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to official data released on Friday.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the country recorded more than 653,100 homeless people in January 2023, an increase of 70,650 compared to January 2022.
These data confirm the urgency of the problem of homelessness in the world's largest economy, with enormous economic and social contrasts.
The issue is already becoming a major theme of the presidential campaign, with Republicans often accusing their Democratic rivals of pursuing policies that encourage the creation of pockets of poverty in urban areas.
African Americans make up 37% of people on the streets while making up just 13% of the total American population, the report released Friday said.
Other factors exacerbating the situation include the opioid-related health crisis and the lack of affordable housing.
California is the US state with the most homeless people (181,399), followed by New York (103,200) and Florida (30,756).
The United States has been counting its homeless population since 2007 and 2023 represents a record number. The recent increase in families with children (+16%) is particularly striking.