Payam Javan: The latest report from the House and Urban Development (HUD) reveals a stark increase in homelessness in the United States, reaching a record high of around 653,000 individuals.

Released on Dec. 15, the report attributes the surge to a combination of inflation, the expiration of pandemic-related eviction protections, and a shortage in housing supply. According to HUD’s 2023 Point-in-Time Count, conducted in January, homelessness rose by 12 percent compared to the previous year, with the most significant spikes observed among families with children (15.5 percent increase) and unaccompanied youths (15.3 percent increase).

Critics, such as U.S. Senate hopeful Kari Lake, point fingers at President Joe Biden’s policies, claiming they contribute to the housing crisis.