Homelessness in the United States has risen to levels comparable to the Great Depression, fueled by economic challenges, skyrocketing housing costs, and widespread financial instability. Yet, a new study by the Mortgage Calculator team reveals a surprising disparity: there are 14 million vacant homes across the country, equating to 21.56 vacant homes for every unhoused person.
The study offers a detailed map of the states with the highest ratio of vacant homes to homeless individuals. Mississippi leads with an astounding 187.31 vacant homes per homeless person, followed by Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, and South Carolina. Other states in the top ten include Arkansas, Wyoming, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The findings emphasize that rural states, where housing is more affordable, often have fewer homeless individuals and more vacant properties.
However, the issue isn’t simply about housing availability. Many rural areas lack the economic infrastructure and job opportunities necessary to support new residents, complicating efforts to use vacant housing to address homelessness. Urban areas, in contrast, have more job opportunities but significantly fewer vacant homes and higher rates of homelessness.
The study sheds light on a potential solution: leveraging vacant housing to reduce homelessness. However, it also highlights the complexities of this approach, such as the need for job creation and long-term economic support in rural areas. By addressing these systemic issues, the U.S. could better utilize its resources to help unhoused individuals rebuild their lives and find stability.
