The United States recorded its first decline in homelessness in nearly a decade during 2024, according to a federal report released months behind schedule by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The decrease, described as modest in scope, represents a reversal of the upward trend in homelessness that had persisted for approximately nine years. The HUD report typically provides annual data on homelessness across the country through point-in-time counts conducted by local agencies.

The report's publication came significantly later than the usual timeline, though HUD has not provided specific reasons for the delay. Federal agencies typically release annual homelessness data earlier in the year to inform policy discussions and budget planning.

The decline comes amid ongoing efforts by federal, state and local governments to address housing affordability and expand services for homeless populations. Various factors, including housing costs, economic conditions, and availability of social services, typically influence homelessness trends.

The report's findings may inform future policy decisions and funding allocations for homelessness prevention and housing assistance programs. Additional details about regional variations and demographic breakdowns were not immediately available from the initial reporting on the HUD data.