California, Oregon Lead the Nation in Homelessness

Six in 10 of the homeless nationwide were sheltered—they were in an emergency shelter, transitional housing, or a haven—while four in 10 were unsheltered.

A homeless encampment near the 10 freeway in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 13, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

California and Oregon continue to lead the nation in homelessness, according to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) released on Dec 15 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

California had the highest rate of people experiencing homelessness who were “unsheltered”—living in places not meant for human habitation, such as outdoors in tents, cars, or other makeshift shelters, as opposed to indoor shelters or temporary accommodations.