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Written by Steve Cannon for USSA News.
Key Takeaways:
- New England states are facing a rise in the number of homeless people.
- High rents in the region are making affordable housing hard to find.
- Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island saw some of the biggest increases in homelessness in a federal report.
- Housing insecurity has been highlighted by the use of federal pandemic relief money in Vermont.
- Some New England cities have become expensive for renters, with rents rising by up to 57%.
- The pandemic has added strain to the situation, with remote places attracting newcomers.
- States and cities are making efforts to provide more shelter and produce more affordable housing.
Why is Homelessness on the Rise in New England? The number of homeless people in New England is increasing at a faster pace than the national trend, with high rents making affordable housing hard to find, according to federal data. Three states in the region – Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island – had some of the largest increases in homelessness, according to a federal report from December. The fast-growing rents in the region have added to the problem, with some cities seeing increases of up to 57%. In addition to the high rents, challenges faced by New England include an opioid crisis, migrant families, and a shortage of affordable housing.
In Vermont, the use of federal pandemic relief money helped to highlight the number of people experiencing housing insecurity. The state counted nearly 2,780 homeless people last year, including people temporarily staying in other people’s homes. In Massachusetts, a recent count showed almost 3,900 homeless families in emergency shelters, the highest number seen in several years.
The pandemic has added strain to the situation, with remote places such as Maine attracting newcomers who are no longer tethered to big-city offices. The state has invested in affordable housing development, but the demand still exceeds the supply. Some New England cities and states are making efforts to provide more shelter and produce more affordable housing, including the opening of new shelters in Burlington, Vermont and initiatives to spur development in Maine.
FAQ
- What is causing the rise in homelessness in New England?
High rents in the region and a shortage of affordable housing are the main causes of the rise in homelessness in New England. Other challenges include an opioid crisis, migrant families, and the pandemic attracting newcomers to the region. - How are states and cities in New England addressing the problem?
States and cities in New England are making efforts to provide more shelter and produce more affordable housing, such as opening new shelters and initiatives to spur housing development. - Why did Vermont count more homeless people than other states?
Vermont counted more homeless people than other states due to the use of federal pandemic relief money, which helped to highlight the number of people experiencing housing insecurity in the state.
