Homelessness increases by 18% in 2024. Inflation and rise in evictions are contributing factors.
PHOENIX - The percentage of Americans experiencing homelessness increased by 18% in 2024, according to a federal report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
We spoke with two organizations on the front lines of the movement to help people experiencing homelessness in Arizona and they say the issue is multifaceted.
"None of these statistics that are coming out are surprising," said Dr. William Ellert, Circle the City Chief Medical Officer.
Mental health and addiction issues continue to be main factors in those experiencing homelessness, but in Arizona, a high eviction rate coupled with inflation is leading to more families becoming unhoused.
In Arizona, there are more than 14,000 people experiencing homelessness this year.
Overall, there has been a 3.5% increase since 2023.
Nathan Smith is the CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services.
He says generational trauma is present in some of these families and the long-term approach to helping them has to benefit not just adults, but the kids too.
"The cost of living continues to outstrip what people are making, and we're seeing that we're at a bit of an inflection point here in Arizona as we are facing the highest eviction rate that we've ever had," he said.
More than a fifth of those experiencing homelessness in Arizona are families with children.
Smith says offering units for those in need to stay is one part of their approach and there is more.
"We had a household of 10 people move in last week, so we get some pretty good-sized households. Also, when those families come to us, it's not just the heads of household in the family that need the case management services that we provide, it's those children also," Smith said.
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And the senior population. Seniors are facing homelessness at a growing rate.
"There is a prediction that the number of homeless people over 65 will triple by 2030," says Ellert.
The prediction is based on a study by researchers at several universities. Dr. Ellert says that more studies looking at resources for those experiencing both memory care issues and homelessness are underway to better understand the issues older people face.
He says the cases he has seen, including people experiencing medical emergencies that drain their savings to families being evicted due to higher rent, prove that homelessness can happen to anyone.
"I think we can drive home that message that these are not people that are the 'other', it's our community, it's us," he said.
Both Smith and Dr. Ellert say volunteering is a good way to help, but also just knowing where to point someone who is in need can make a difference.
"Pay attention to the issues at a greater level than just the hot takes that we catch on television or in these clips," says Smith. "Pay attention to the things that are causing people to become homeless and find where it is you fit in. Whether that's volunteering in certain roles, coming and reading to children, donating books for a library, drumming up enough good will to get a group of people to pay attention to the issues and then giving at the holidays can turn into more social awareness from there on. Then we've got the beginnings of a movement, right?"
As for what's next for these groups in 2025, Dr. Ellert says there is a fundraising project underway to create a new 84-bed respite center through Circle the City.
People are welcome to join that cause.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and gathered by FOX 10 reporter Nicole Krasean.