Homelessness has been on a continuous rise across the United States since 2016, with the situation reaching its peak in 2023, marking the highest levels seen in the last decade. This issue does not affect everyone equally, as different demographic groups and states experience varying degrees of impact. The disparities in how homelessness affects these populations highlight the complexity and uneven distribution of this growing crisis.

In this graph, the intensity of the blue shading indicates the level of homelessness in each state; darker shades represent higher levels of homelessness. It is evident that the states on the coasts are more vulnerable to homelessness. Beyond having larger populations, these coastal states, including New York, Washington D.C., California, and Oregon, face high living costs, which significantly contribute to the scarcity of affordable housing. The combination of dense populations and elevated living expenses makes it particularly challenging for individuals in these regions to secure affordable housing, exacerbating the homelessness crisis. This pattern underscores how economic factors, such as the cost of living, play a crucial role in the distribution of homelessness across different states.

This graph, which depicts the number of people experiencing homelessness per 10,000 individuals, reveals that certain racial groups are more vulnerable to homelessness than others. Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, in particular, are significantly affected, highlighting the fact that minority groups experience homelessness at much higher rates compared to whites. Addressing homelessness is crucial to ensuring that everyone can enjoy a decent standard of living without facing unequal living conditions based on their racial or ethnic background. It is essential to tackle this issue to promote better and equal living situations for all.