Homelessness in America: The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The National Picture: Record High Numbers

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, released December 27, 2024, homelessness increased 18.1% from 2023 to 2024. The report, compiled from data gathered during Point-in-Time counts in January 2024, reveals that 771,480 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night, which represents the highest number in the history of HUD data collection.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness attributes this surge to a combination of factors: widespread affordable housing shortages (with median rent 18% higher than 2020), rising inflation, the expiration of pandemic era protections, and insufficient social safety nets. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates a shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental units nationwide.

The Gender Gap: Why Men Are Overrepresented

According to the American Institute for Boys and Men, men make up 60% of the homeless population. In 2024, approximately 460,000 men and 303,000 women experienced homelessness on any given night. Among individuals (those not in families), the disparity is even greater: men represent roughly 70% of homeless individuals.

Homeless men are also less likely to be sheltered. Only 60% of homeless men were in shelters compared to 72% of women. This means 39% of homeless men were unsheltered in 2024, living on streets, in parks, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings, compared to 28% of homeless women.

This disparity exists for several reasons:

• • Men are less likely to qualify for family shelter programs, which prioritize women with children
• • Men are less likely to seek help due to cultural expectations around masculinity and self reliance
• • Many pathways to homelessness, such as incarceration, military service, and manual labor injuries, disproportionately affect men
• • Fewer targeted services exist for single adult men compared to other populations

This is why The Steady Ground focuses specifically on serving men: they represent the majority of the homeless population but receive the minority of targeted services.

Sheltered vs. Unsheltered

Of the total homeless population in 2024, approximately 36% were unsheltered, meaning they sleep in places not designed for human habitation: streets, parks, cars, abandoned buildings, or encampments. The remaining 64% were in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs.

Among those experiencing chronic homelessness, defined as having a disability and being homeless for a year or more, the situation is worse: 61% were unsheltered. These are the most vulnerable individuals, often battling serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or chronic physical health issues while living on the streets.

Unsheltered homelessness is particularly dangerous, with higher rates of violence, health complications, and mortality. Research shows that people experiencing homelessness have a mortality rate 3.5 times higher than the housed population, with life expectancy reduced by 26 years or more.

Oklahoma and Regional Statistics

Oklahoma has seen significant increases in homelessness mirroring national trends. According to local Point-in-Time counts and the Homeless Alliance, homelessness is rising across the state's major metropolitan areas.

A critical finding from Tulsa's data: 82% of respondents said their homelessness began in Oklahoma, and 75% said it began in Tulsa specifically. These are not people drifting in from elsewhere. These are our neighbors, our community members, people who lost their footing right here.

Mental health is a growing factor: 28% of Tulsa respondents reported that mental health conditions contributed to their homelessness, up from 19% in 2024. One in four people experiencing homelessness in Tulsa were age 55 or older, and nearly all reported having at least one disability.

The One Bright Spot: Veteran Homelessness

Veterans were the only population to see a continued decline in homelessness rates. In 2024, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness, the lowest number since data collection began in 2009 and a 55.6% reduction since 2010.

This success demonstrates what targeted, well funded intervention can achieve. Programs like HUD-VASH (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) and the VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families pair stable housing with wraparound services. The model works. It proves that homelessness is solvable when we apply the right resources with the right approach. This is exactly the model The Steady Ground intends to replicate for the broader male homeless population.

Trends and Trajectory

After years of slow progress, homelessness is rising rapidly. The 2024 count represents the largest single year increase in recorded history, with 118,300 more people homeless than the previous year. Key drivers include:

• • End of COVID era protections (eviction moratoriums, expanded benefits, emergency rental assistance)
• • Housing costs outpacing wages (median rent up 18% since 2020)
• • Shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental units nationally
• • Mental health and substance abuse crises intensifying
• • Natural disasters displacing families (Maui fires alone added 5,000+ to shelter counts)

Without significant intervention, these trends are expected to continue. The number one reported need among those surveyed: housing. The number one reported cause: lack of affordable housing.