The Brief
- The state of Illinois experienced a 116% increase in its unhoused population between 2023 and 2024, according to a new government report.
- The surge in homelessness was seen in multiple states across the country.
- Federal officials attributed the increase to the migrant crisis and a continued lack of affordable housing, among other factors.
The state of Illinois saw a 116% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in early 2024, with most of that increase taking place in Chicago, federal officials announced late last month.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report which records snapshots of the number of people in shelters, temporary housing and unsheltered settings. The report reflected data recorded in January of 2024, so it likely does not represent current levels.
The agency reported that Illinois’ unhoused population between 2023 and 2024 went from 11,947 to 25,832, an increase of 13,885 people. About 91% of that increase was in Chicago.
Effects of the migrant crisis
Most of that increase (13,600) came about because of the thousands of migrants and asylum-seekers who came to the city over the past two years, including those who had been bused or flown to Chicago from other states.…