Jennifer Ludden

HUD first announced this major funding shift late last year, but a federal judge blocked it, saying a sudden change could cause chaos and push many back onto the streets.

Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

In a new notice, the agency says it will prioritize transitional programs that require sobriety or mental health treatment.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner says this will get at the root causes of homelessness.

Federal policy has long focused on getting people into permanent housing with voluntary treatment.

The Trump administration blames that approach for skyrocketing rates of homelessness.

Local providers say high rents are the bigger problem.

HUD first announced this major funding shift late last year, but a federal judge blocked it, saying a sudden change could cause chaos and push many back onto the streets.

Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

This annual count was taken way back in January 2025.

The federal housing agency HUD released the report months later than usual.

It found the number of people sleeping outside or in shelters was down more than 3 percent to about 745,000, a bit fewer than a record high the year before.

In a statement, the National Alliance to End Homelessness says that decline proved that programs to get people into permanent housing do work.

The Trump administration has criticized that approach and wants a major shift toward transitional housing and forced treatment.

Local providers worry that could push many people back onto the streets.

Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

This annual count was taken way back in January 2025.

The federal housing agency HUD released the report months later than usual.

It found the number of people sleeping outside or in shelters was down more than 3 percent to about 745,000, a bit fewer than a record high the year before.

In a statement, the National Alliance to End Homelessness says that decline proved that programs to get people into permanent housing do work.