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COMMUNITY VOICES — On World Homeless Day, America Must Face Its Shadow: 770,000 Lives at Risk

October 10, 2025

On World Homeless Day (October 10), Dr. Chad Audi, President and CEO of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, highlights America's escalating homelessness crisis, with over 771,000 Americans experiencing homelessness—an 18% increase in one year. The crisis stems from stagnating wages, soaring rents, and insufficient federal housing assistance, resulting in one in every 400 Americans lacking stable housing and over 1. 3 million homeless students in U.S. public schools.

Who is affected

  • More than 771,000 Americans experiencing homelessness
  • Families, veterans, children, and seniors
  • Over 1.3 million homeless students in U.S. public schools
  • 6,200 Detroiters who experienced homelessness (9% increase from 2021)
  • Unsheltered children in Detroit (whose numbers nearly doubled)
  • Two siblings (ages nine and two) who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping in a van

What action is being taken

  • Detroit officials and nonprofit partners have announced a seven-point plan to expand shelter capacity, add outreach teams, and strengthen coordination between city and state agencies
  • A nationwide crackdown on homeless encampments is redirecting attention from housing to enforcement
  • Organizations across America are hosting memorials, housing summits, community forums, and public rallies to mark World Homeless Day
  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is serving more than 2,500 people daily through various support programs

Why it matters

  • The homelessness figure represents the highest number ever recorded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • It represents a moral test for the nation
  • Potential federal budget cuts threaten to eliminate tens of thousands of housing vouchers nationwide
  • The criminalization approach punishes survival rather than solving the crisis
  • The crisis reflects broken systems rather than broken people
  • As the wealthiest nation on Earth, America has the resources to address homelessness

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle