Homeless numbers across the country trending up

PIC: HUD

Homelessness in America was on the rise even before the COVID-19 pandemic dragged down the economy.  That’s according to a new report from the Housing and Urban Development Department.

It provides a snapshot of the number of homeless people – both sheltered and unsheltered – in America on a single night. The report shows that 580,466 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in January 2020.  That’s an increase of 12,751 people, or 2.2 percent, from 2019.

According to the analysis 541 people experienced homelessness in North Dakota – a decrease of 2.9 percent from 2019.  A closer look at the numbers shows homeless males outnumber females 314 to 226.  There were also 115 individuals under the age of 18 considered homeless.

The report also found that 7,940 people in Minnesota experienced homelessness – down slightly from the previous year.