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How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageThe United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required tallies taken across the country in January found more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they don't have a place of their own. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of COVID-19 pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. A man walks past a homeless encampment Oct. 25, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles. "No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve," HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said in a statement, adding that the focus should remain on "evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness." Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness — one of the areas that was most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities. Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Almost 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. Disasters also played a part in the rise in the count, especially last year's catastrophic Maui wildfire, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. More than 5,200 people were in emergency shelters in Hawaii on the night of the count. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents assist state police as they order people living in a homeless encampment to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. "Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing," Renee Willis, incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement. "As advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience have warned, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs." Robert Marbut Jr., the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness from 2019 to 2021, called the nearly 33% increase in homelessness over the past four years "disgraceful" and said the federal government needs to abandon efforts to prioritize permanent housing. "We need to focus on treatment of substance use and mental illness, and bring back program requirements, like job training," Marbut said in an email. The numbers also come as increasing numbers of communities are taking a hard line against homelessness. People living in a homeless encampment pick up belongings Oct. 23 after Louisiana State Police ordered them to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. Angered by often dangerous and dirty tent camps, communities — especially in Western states — have enforced bans on camping. That follows a 6-3 ruling this summer by the Supreme Court that found outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates argued that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness. There was some positive news in the count, as homelessness among veterans continued to trend downward. Homelessness among veterans dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. It was an even larger decrease for unsheltered veterans, declining 11% to 13,851 in 2024. "The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale," Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a statement. "With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide. Federal investments are critical in tackling the country's housing affordability crisis and ensuring that every American has access to safe, stable housing." Several large cities had success bringing down their homeless numbers. Dallas, which worked to overhaul its homeless system, saw a 16% drop in its numbers between 2022 to 2024. Los Angeles, which increased housing for the homeless, saw a drop of 5% in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. A rat sniffs the hand of a sleeping man experiencing homelessness Dec. 18 in downtown Los Angeles. California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. The sharp increase in the homeless population over the past two years contrasts with success the U.S. had for more than a decade. Going back to the first 2007 survey, the U.S. made steady progress for about a decade in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017. The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments and a temporary eviction moratorium. Homelessness is intertwined with the cost of living, and the high cost of living is hitting older adults fairly hard. A Westat survey for the Department of Health and Human Services found that older adults are the fastest-growing cohort of the homeless population. Emergency housing for seniors can keep that number from climbing higher. Caring.com details how to access it. The number of homeless seniors isn't based solely on people remaining homeless as they age; it also includes those whose first experience with homelessness came after they turned 50. In 2023, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that 1 in 5 homeless people were over the age of 55. For seniors and other older adults, fixed incomes make it hard to battle the ever-increasing cost of expenses. Endhomelessness.org cites that 2.35 million older adults are paying over half of their limited income to rent. Based on Caring.com's July 2024 survey of seniors in the workforce , that's exactly why 1 in 15 retired seniors worry about losing their homes. Shelter use in homeless people older than 51 has gone up over 10% from 2007 to 2017, according to the HUD. But luckily, so has the number of shelters. Between 2022 and 2023, the HUD reports that emergency shelters added 28,760 more beds in emergency shelters, though this is a reduction in the amount of beds available during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency homeless assistance, or emergency housing, is a temporary solution. It's designed to provide shelter while those facing housing instability figure out their next step. Emergency housing for homeless seniors gives someone the immediate ability to remain housed and safely sheltered. Local nonprofits are often involved in placing people experiencing homelessness or housing instability into emergency shelters. Low-income seniors, seniors who are low on funds and might not make rent, or seniors who need to leave their homes for other reasons can use emergency housing. Many cities have their own emergency housing programs. There are also nationwide programs that provide emergency housing for seniors. The internet is the fastest tool for locating local emergency housing. Libraries have free internet access, for those who might not have a computer or Wi-Fi to begin their search. The list below leads to websites that include phone numbers for emergency homeless assistance. Seniors in need of immediate assistance and resources should call 2-1-1 or contact the United Way online . The 2-1-1 crisis hotline partners with United Way, which is committed to helping homeless seniors find local shelters or access transitional housing. The service can also connect seniors with other resources, including food, mental health support, or funding for health care expenses. Calling 2-1-1 is often required as a prerequisite before trying to get into a shelter or obtaining other assistance. Because 2-1-1 is for people in crisis, there are no eligibility requirements. However, some programs seniors may access through 2-1-1 do have eligibility requirements. Seniors can simply dial 2-1-1 from nearly anywhere in the U.S. to be put in touch with the programs and resources they need. Designed specifically for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal program offering low-income housing options and rent assistance. These vouchers are available through your local public housing agency (PHA). This program enables and encourages participants to choose their own housing. Housing options don't need to be a part of subsidized housing projects, but there are limits on unit size. Typically, participants must pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent, and the voucher program pays the remainder. Applicant income and family size help the PHA determine eligibility. Citizenship and eligible immigration status also play a factor. The family's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where they're applying to live. Of the vouchers, 75% must go to people whose income is at or less than 30% of their area's median income. Contact your local public housing agency . The Section 202 program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for seniors. This program gives low-income seniors options that allow them to live independently, with support for cooking, cleaning, transportation, etc. This program is open to any very low-income household that has at least one person 62 years old or older. Applicants must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on Grants.gov . The HUD-VASH program was created as emergency homeless assistance for veterans. Its goal is to give homeless veterans access to permanent housing through public housing authorities. Veterans receive rental assistance through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program and additional case management services through the VA. By December 2023, the HUD had allocated nearly 112,000 vouchers to help house veterans nationwide. To help veterans achieve stability and remain housed, VA case managers may connect veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling. If you or your loved one is a low-income senior with eligible military service, you may apply. Your local VA can tell you if your service qualifies you for HUD-VASH. Senior veterans may apply online or call (877) 424-3838. Click here to learn more about the emergency housing options for seniors available in your state. Low-income seniors who aren't in assisted living or independent living communities might find themselves facing housing instability. Emergency housing for seniors can help you or your loved one seek shelter. Crisis hotlines and public housing agencies can offer support. Finding emergency housing for seniors depends heavily on your area. The first step is to call the Crisis Hotline at 2-1-1. Finding a shelter takes less time than applying and getting approved for low-income housing voucher programs. The 2-1-1 hotline can direct you to local resources and locators. Yes and no. The duration depends on the type of housing. Shelters have limits that vary. Some shelters allow people to stay for up to six months, though that can vary based on demand. Seniors can remain in Section 202 supportive housing as long as they meet age and income requirements. Yes. Many counties have financial emergency programs that help seniors handle home repairs or short-term financial crises like utility shutoff. These programs allow the senior to focus their funds on their rent or mortgage. This story was produced by Caring.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.ISRO to launch two satellites tonight
HAVE WE WITNESSED ‘THE MOMENT’ of the general election campaign? Will Simon Harris’s testy encounter in Kanturk with disability worker and activist Charlotte Fallon – for which the Taoiseach, who entered politics partly because he wanted to advocate for persons with disabilities, has apologised sincerely – be a bump in the road or a turning point? The video of his chancing upon Fallon in a supermarket has millions of hits online. He does not emerge favourably from it. The first draft of this column expressed relief to be examining “normal” politics after the chaos of the presidential election in the United States, and concurred with the assessment of journalists and pundits of the happenings on this side of the Atlantic: “meh.” If the vast majority of people I see on a daily basis are a reliable indicator, the denizens of the commentariat are not wrong. It has not grabbed popular attention. There is little enthusiasm. The climate has been one of passivity or resignation. “The crowd in power are probably the best of the bunch” is a commonly voiced sentiment. There also is a good deal of support for independents of all stripes borne out of frustration. There hadn’t been any drama. Unless the opinion polls and, perhaps more tellingly, the bookmakers were completely off the mark, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were nearly fated to be the key parties in the new government. And that may still be the case. Micheál Martin and Simon Harris have been solid, if not spectacular, with the former definitely having fared better in the RTÉ leaders’ debate and the latter traversing constituencies and endeavouring to capitalise on the heralded “Harris bounce.” “I met Simon; I liked him and I think he means well” is a refrain I’ve heard multiple times. Harris let himself down badly on Friday, however. Will it move the needle discernibly? It might. On the one hand, it will communicate a signal to a swathe of gettable voters that Fine Gael is, at its core, elitist and uncaring. Conversely, it’s fair to assume that those most critical of the Taoiseach’s disposition during the impromptu conversation were never going to back his party. Mary Lou McDonald continues to demonstrate how formidable she is and, following a difficult period for her personally and politically, Sinn Féin’s slide seems to have abated, though it is hard to conceive of the beleaguered party getting to the Promised Land on this occasion. The “soft left” groupings should do OK, and it will be fascinating to see just how diverse a cadre of independents garner the citizenry’s imprimatur. All could profit from Harris’s misstep. This campaign has helped bring two quandaries, which, in reality, dwarf any single election in importance, sharply into focus. First, as house prices have increased a further 10% in the last year, is the growing gulf between owners and renters. The despondency of women and men of all ages who are unable to get a mortgage, despite being highly educated and well-paid, has been captured in TV and radio vox pops in recent weeks. Their plight is heart-wrenchingly sad. And they don’t believe politicians will solve the crisis. Second is how Donald Trump’s imminent return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue could impact Ireland negatively. Trump is an ardent America Firster who extols tariffs and wants to repatriate US jobs and tax revenue. This country obviously has an awful lot to lose and, while some of the apocalyptic scenarios being sketched are hopefully overwrought, caution with respect to forward planning is entirely appropriate. Yet restraint is conspicuously absent from the manifestos published lately. It is our responsibility as voters to remain cognisant of these big picture, massively significant matters and to factor them in as we ponder who to place our sacred trust in, notwithstanding a propensity for self-interest and short-termism that is shared by the public and their representatives. To our duties can be added, with kudos to Charlotte Fallon for her gutsy intervention, never abandoning our ambition to be a genuine republic. What transpired on Friday contributes a further element of intrigue to what are enthralling dogfights unfolding in numerous constituencies. Plenty, even after a rigorous analysis, are truthfully amenable solely to one of these alternative descriptions: either too close or too complex to call. Four are Wicklow, Galway West, Dublin Central and Donegal. This writer is not as brave as Barry Lenihan, Ivan Yates, et al. As such, there will be no firm predictions made, but I do want to raise a niggling question from each that I am grappling with excessively. In Wicklow, will Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly retain his seat? He snuck in by a whisker in 2020; he has never had much of a presence on the ground; and he is not a favourite of the local Fianna Fáil grassroots, loads of whom preferred Senator Pat Casey as their standard bearer. Everyone regards health as a challenging portfolio. Donnelly has had successes and he’s had failings. It may boil down to whether the party brand and the Tánaiste can propel him across the line. That is no sure thing and an upset might be in the offing. In Galway West, was the presumption that “celebrity candidate” Gráinne Seoige would inherit Éamon Ó Cuív’s Connemara seat for Fianna Fáil, potentially comfortably, incorrect? A TG4/Ipsos B&A poll suggests that she is struggling to connect. Seoige clearly benefits from name recognition. That said, rumours have it that she is not as beloved in her native territory as Ó Cuív, that there is scepticism of her newfound zest for politics and that the other Fianna Fáíl aspirant, Councillor John Connolly, may have the edge. Watch that space. In Dublin Central, could the controversial ex-MEP and ex-TD from north of the capital city, Clare Daly, parachute in and manage an unorthodox comeback? She is reported to have staunch endorsements from those who used to deliver leftist independents Tony Gregory and Maureen O’Sullivan to Leinster House. And in Donegal – where Sinn Féin is very strong, where the treasured family homes of thousands are crumbling due to mica and where many inhabitants of the “forgotten county” harbour an anti-establishment streak – are two Fianna Fáilers, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and 76 year old Pat “the Cope” Gallagher, set to prevail? At least one survey says it’s possible. That result in Donegal would portend an excellent 29 November for Fianna Fáil. And I am leaning in the direction that Micheál Martin & Co may have the broadest smiles on their faces at the count centres ultimately. Of course, that’s just a semi-educated hunch. But Harris has committed an unforced error, one which some people will be disinclined to ignore or forgive with merely six days to go. A considerable chunk of them are only making their decisions now. We will soon find out how consequential this unfortunate gaffe was.
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Short Interest in WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD) Expands By 26.8%Stock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the marketCompany investing $193M in Chatham CountyUS homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people
