US homelessness up double digits, rising numbers of asylum seekers, affordability crisis among causes
FOX NewsDEC 28 2024
US Homelessness Surges 18%
Above: A homeless encampment in Oakland, California, US, on April 22, 2024. Image copyright: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Contributor via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The surge in homelessness stems from systemic underinvestment in affordable housing, income inequality, and insufficient access to mental health services. There must be collaboration between federal, state, and local governments to prioritize permanent housing solutions and increase funding for programs to address this crisis effectively.
Republican narrative
Democrats' pro-migration policies have exacerbated the homeless crisis, with the arrival of millions of migrants having contributed to rising rental costs in the aftermath of the pandemic. It's simple economics: when demand is high, prices go up. As a result, housing has become unaffordable for young people and low-wage earners.