Here’s What’s Driving the Surge in Homelessness

January 7, 2025 | njspotlightnews.org

Last week the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual homelessness assessment report found more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness across the country on a single night in January last year. That is an 18% increase from the 2023 assessment. 

In New Jersey, the point-in-time count from January 2024 saw an even higher increase 24% over the prior year.

What is behind this sudden surge in homelessness?

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NJ SEED: According to End Poverty Now the top 10 causes of homelessness are 1. lack of affordable housing, 2. Unemployment and underemployment, 3. poverty, 4. mental health issues, 5. substance abuse, 6. domestic violence, 7. lack of access to healthcare, 8. discrimination, 9. lack of social support, and criminal record. (https://endpovertynowinc.org/blog/10-causes-of-homelessness-in-america/) Evictions and being asked to leave a shared residence do not even make the list. While this may be a factor in NJ it is apparently not in other states. Perhaps the Department of Community Affairs has another agenda.