2022 HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress

On December 16, 2022, HUD published its Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. This report outlines findings of the Point-In-Time (PIT) count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC) conducted in January 2022. The report provides national, state, and CoC-level PIT and HIC estimates of homelessness, as well as estimates of chronically homeless persons, homeless veterans, and homeless children and youth.

The AHAR report shows several CoCs in the State of Florida leading the nation in the number and percentage of individuals experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas County (FL-502) has one of the largest number of people experiencing homelessness in a largely urban CoC (1985).

Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council (FL-509) has of the highest percentage of people, in all categories, experiencing unsheltered homeless (82.6%). Of this, 93.2% are individuals and 59% are families with children. In addition, Heartland Coalition for the Homeless (FL-517), Doorways of NW Florida (FL-515), and United Way of Suwanee Valley (FL-518) are part of the top 5 CoCs in the nation with unsheltered homelessness at 93.7%, 88.4% and 83.4% respectively. Heartland Coalition for the Homeless has absolutely no shelter units for individuals experiencing homelessness and reported 100% of individuals experiencing homelessness as unsheltered.

Other notable Florida numbers:
Behind California, Florida accounted for the 2nd highest share of homeless veterans, at 7% of their homeless population. The Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas County reports 26.1% of their homeless population as veterans.

Brevard Homeless Coalition and Opening Doors of NW Florida report the 4th and 5th highest percent of chronic homelessness, at 91% and 90% of individuals experiencing homelessness as severely disabled and homeless for a long time (chronic).

Although Florida has seen the largest decrease (46%) in homelessness from 2007-2022, there is still work to be done at individual CoCs across the State.  Additonal shelter space is needed, as well as targeted assistance to chronically homeless individuals and veterans, who need additional supportive housing opportunities.