Anecdotally, have you noticed an increase in the homeless population in your area over the past year?

👍 Yes (65%) – "Buffalo, NY - There are no regulations in place to prevent landlords from price gouging their rents. If I didn't have a partner and a good savings account, and ultimately the ability to move to a cheaper neighborhood, I could see myself in the same position."

• "Southern NH...I live in the country but teach in a city...pop up homeless camps are everywhere lately...under highway ramps, in parks, even on the street around the shelter, that's beyond capacity."

"Phoenix, Arizona, has certainly seen the homeless population increase to where we have an entire street like that of skid row in LA. Outskirts of the surrounding valley are also starting to see more pan-handlers on the corners and folks sleeping on sidewalks/bus benches."

• "I'm from the downtown Canton, Ohio area and have met and/or seen completely new individuals and single parent families in the homeless shelters and resource places this year than I've ever noticed before in past years."

"In Rock Hill, SC, we saw an huge jump in homelessness. This may be due to Charlotte, NC closing and clearing out a tent city right after the pandemic. But when we talked to friends in salads they also discussed the increase of homeless in Anchorage

• "In Austin, Texas it is no longer safe for women and children to go downtown alone. Multiple people have been confronted by homeless people. It used to be a very safe city, and no longer has that feel."

"My brother and sister-in-law work with the homeless every week and have seen the increase and heard the stories here in Phoenix.”

• Atlanta. I have always seen homeless people there, of course, but the ‘camps’ downtown have grown dramatically. Also, as a criminal defense attorney, I have a lot more indigent clients who were living out of their cars at the time of arrest.”

👎 No (35%) – "I live in Queen Creek, Arizona, one of the fastest growing towns in America. We don't seem to have a homeless population because families are moving here from much more expensive places to live, and they can afford to be here.”

• "There's been a reported decrease, but it seems the same as ever. I've seen some of the same homeless people age along with me for the last 23 years that I've lived in Santa Cruz, CA."

"I'm in the Northwest Ohio area and haven't seen an increase in the homeless population. I've lived here my entire life and I actually think it has gotten better over the past year and in recent years in general. I'm heavily involved in a volunteer capacity with a local organization that connects people to community resources and they have specifically honed in on housing and food needs over the past couple years which I think have had a really positive impact. When communities rally around those in need, positive change is possible!"

• “Charlotte NC area – high homelessness over the last 2-3 years but seems to be less obvious now… maybe officials are just keeping it out of sight.”

"Living in a rural area of NJ. I have not witnessed a increase in homeless people. I'm sure they are out there but not in the numbers that you would see towards the city."