New York accounted for the highest increase in homelessness for the year.
Black Americans are facing more trouble as homelessness rates rise across the country. A new study has revealed that the demographic was disproportionately impacted as homelessness rates reach their highest levels this year.
“The most significant causes are the shortage of affordable homes and the high cost of housing that have left many Americans living paycheck to paycheck and one crisis away from homelessness,” explained the government official.
As for the Black Americans part of the growing number, they represent 37% of unhoused people. Black families hold an even bigger portion of this population, being exactly half of all families suffering from homelessness.
People of color were the most impacted in several newly-released statistics regarding America’s homelessness rates, as the diverse state of California was marked for having the majority of unhoused people in their state, making up just over half of the homelessness population. The western state is known for Skid Row, a significant homeless encampment with a large majority of Black people within its domain, according to the data by the Los Angeles Homeless Services.
However, New York accounted for the highest increase in homelessness for the year, with a 39.1% jump for this disadvantaged group. It is another state with a high demographic of Black residents, including being 23.1% of New York City’s population, as confirmed by the U.S. Census. As homelessness rises across the nation, its rise amidst the Black U.S. population is disproportionately felt across all aspects.
Source: Black Enterprise
