California reports one of largest drops in homelessness in past year, Hud reports

New data suggests success in Gavin Newsom’s crackdown, as Illinois, Hawaii and Florida also report notable decreases

California reported one of the largest decreases in homelessness over the past year, according to a new report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Hud).

The Golden state recorded a total unhoused population of 181,934 in 2025 – an almost 3% decrease since the year prior, placing it among the five states with the largest decreases from 2024. However, more significant drops were recorded in Illinois (44%), Hawaii (41%), Florida (11%) and New York (8%).