Vacant Apartments Transformed Into Emergency Shelters As Homeless Population Doubles Nationally
Washington, D.C. – February 3, 2025 – A major federal initiative, announced today by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is converting thousands of vacant apartments into temporary emergency shelters. The program, which targets municipalities with severe housing shortages, aims to address a dramatic 50% nationwide increase in the homeless population over the past 12 months. According to a HUD press release, the first phase of the plan involves the immediate leasing of 15,000 empty units in 12 major cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Local governments will manage the facilities, providing social services, security, and case management for displaced residents. The initiative is funded by a previously approved emergency appropriations bill. Critics, however, question the long-term sustainability of converting residential apartments into temporary housing, citing potential impacts on local real estate markets.