# National homelessness expected to decline after record 2024 surge  
**Published:** 2026-05-07T22:05:12.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/07/repub/housing-advocates-expect-homelessness-numbers-to-fall-slightly/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/national-homelessness-expected-to-decline-after-record-2024-surge

National homelessness is projected to fall slightly after reaching record levels last year, according to preliminary data that suggests the rapid expansion of homelessness seen in recent years may be stabilizing, according to a [report from Nebraska Examiner citing Stateline](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/07/repub/housing-advocates-expect-homelessness-numbers-to-fall-slightly/).

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's annual Point-in-Time count recorded 771,480 people experiencing homelessness in January 2024, an 18% surge from 2023. However, preliminary 2025 estimates based on local counts from 170 communities suggest homelessness may fall to approximately 755,300, representing a roughly 2% decline, though HUD has not yet released official 2025 figures.

"The shift from sustained increases to a small net decline suggests that the rapid expansion of homelessness seen in recent years has slowed," according to analysis by the nonprofit Community Solutions. "At a national level, this pattern is consistent with a period of stabilization, in which the number of people entering homelessness is more closely balanced with the number exiting."

Meanwhile, in Nebraska, homelessness remains a persistent challenge. In Omaha in 2024, 1,609 adults and children were classified as experiencing homelessness, while the Omaha metro area continues coordinated efforts through various agencies. Locally, Lincoln has seen housing advocates implement [support services](https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Urban-Development/Housing/Homeless-Services) through partnerships that have contributed to long-term reductions in homelessness counts since 2012.

HUD data shows 912,807 people experienced homelessness for the first time in 2024, a slight decline from 967,134 in 2023 but still well above pre-pandemic levels. The official 2025 Point-in-Time count results are not expected to be released until late this year or early 2027, giving communities time to continue efforts aimed at preventing and ending homelessness.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/07/repub/housing-advocates-expect-homelessness-numbers-to-fall-slightly/)
- [Stateline (original reporting source)](https://stateline.org/2026/05/07/housing-advocates-expect-homelessness-numbers-to-fall-slightly/)
- [HUD Exchange - 2024 Point-in-Time estimates](https://www.hudexchange.info/news/hud-releases-2024-ahar-report/)
- [Community Solutions - 2025 homelessness estimates](https://community.solutions/research-posts/2025-homelessness-estimates/)
- [City of Lincoln - Homeless Services](https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Urban-Development/Housing/Homeless-Services)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/07/repub/housing-advocates-expect-homelessness-numbers-to-fall-slightly/.