United Way of the National Capital Area Study Finds Record Homelessness Despite Millions of Vacant Homes Across the U.S.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As homelessness reaches record levels across the United States, a new study from United Way of the National Capital Area reveals a striking disconnect between housing availability and housing access. The report, "Vacant Homes vs. Homelessness in Cities Across the U.S.," examines the widening gap between housing supply and housing access.

"Data shows that for every one person experiencing homelessness, there are 18 vacant homes across the U.S.; that's not a housing shortage, it's a housing access problem," said Dr. Nicole Cooper, Chief of External Affairs & Transformation Office, United Way of the National Capital Area. "Closing this gap starts with solutions that support pathways to financial security and access to affordable housing." 

National Snapshot

• The U.S. has more than 14 million vacant housing units, or approximately 18 vacant homes for every person experiencing homelessness.
• Homelessness reached a record 771,480 people in 2024, an increase of more than 118,000 people from 2023.
• Permanent beds for people experiencing chronic homelessness declined 10.1% between 2023 and 2024.

Cities with the Highest Ratio of Vacant Homes to Unhoused People

1. Houston, TX – 66.68 vacant homes per unhoused person
2. Charleston, SC – 64.58
3. Memphis, TN – 60.34
4. Jackson, MS – 60.09
5. Pittsburgh, PA – 53.50

Nearly 150,000 children experienced homelessness in 2024, a 33% year-over-year increase.

Cities With the Largest Unhoused Children Populations           

1. Denver, CO – 563.77
2. New York, NY     – 541.40
3. Boston, MA – 314.20
4. Springfield, MA – 306.58
5. Chicago, IL – 205.75                 

Cities With the Largest Unhoused Gen Z Populations

1. New York, NY – 184.05
2. San Francisco, CA – 137.40
3. Denver, CO – 132.37
4. Chicago, IL – 93.52
5. Washington, DC – 83.02

The complete study is available here.

Methodology

To determine the number of vacant homes per unhoused person in America's largest metropolitan areas, United Way NCA analyzed the latest homelessness data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) alongside vacant housing data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Additional homelessness statistics by age, race, geography, and year were sourced from HUD's Annual Homelessness Assessment Reports (AHAR).

About United Way of the National Capital Area

For nearly 100 years, United Way of the National Capital Area has worked to mobilize communities to action so all can thrive. Guided by our mission, we are committed to creating measurable impact in the areas of Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security for every person in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax/Falls Church, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Rappahannock County, Culpeper County and Fauquier County in Virginia; Calvert, Charles, St. Mary County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County in Maryland; and the District of Columbia. In 2020, United Way NCA was among 384 organizations across the United States to receive a transformational investment from novelist and venture philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. For more information, visit UnitedWayNCA.org.

Media Contact

Paul Gessler

(202) 488-5816

421725@email4pr.com 

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SOURCE United Way of the National Capital Area