A recent study has highlighted a noteworthy surge in homelessness rates across the United States, with Black Americans bearing the brunt of this issue. The study indicates a 12% increase in the number of homeless individuals in 2023, with over half a million people lacking proper shelter and being forced to sleep outside or in inadequate accommodations. This sharp rise marks a significant departure from the past two years, which saw a comparatively mild increase. The study attributes this upsurge in homelessness to the challenges that the U.S. economy and housing market are currently facing.

It is a well-established fact that policies significantly impact everyday lives. From the mode of transportation we use to the quality of the air we breathe, policies formulated at the local, state, and federal levels establish the regulatory framework within which we operate. Policy-making is essential in addressing critical social issues such as income inequality, healthcare access, and homelessness. Recent statistical data at the national level underscores the severity of the homelessness crisis, with specific demographic groups bearing a disproportionate burden of the crisis. Notably, this crisis has been particularly prevalent among historically marginalized communities.