Study Compares Homelessness Rates to Empty Housing Frequency

Homelessness is a significant problem in the United States, a fact that confuses people when they learn how many vacant homes there are. A new study from the Mortgage Calculator team compares the prevalence of homelessness to the number of vacant houses in the U.S.

Which U.S. States Have the Most Vacant Houses per Homeless Person?

Homelessness reached an all-time high in 2024 when it rose an astounding 18.1%. Vulnerable Americans faced eviction, mass migration, and skyrocketing housing costs. Many renters are considered “cost-burdened,” and as a result, homelessness is at comparable levels to its status during the great depression. This is in stark contrast to the number of vacant homes in America. There are over 14 million vacant homes across the country, which is far more than what is needed to house every homeless person.

The team’s map shows which states have the highest rate of vacant homes per homeless person. Mississippi has the highest rate, with 187.31 vacant homes per homeless person. This high ratio is partly due to the state’s low homelessness rate. Although many people in Mississippi live below the poverty line, the cost of living in the state is low, with fewer instances of homelessness.

Many people are working toward a solution to help people without housing. After all, many Americans are one financial emergency away from homelessness. Leveraging vacant housing may be a way to lower the rate of homelessness across America. Many of the highest rates on the map occur in Southern states, suggesting that more rural areas have housing availability. Still, they may lack jobs for new residents, making this a complicated problem.

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