Homelessness Exploding in the U.S.

Plus: What I’m Reading This Week

In Today’s BRIGHT

Homelessness Exploding in the U.S.
What I’m Reading This Week
Deal Reached to Avoid Government Shutdown
House Passes Enhanced Presidential Security Act
More Weekend Reads
A Case of the Mondays

Homelessness Exploding in the U.S.

The New York Post reported the U.S. is experiencing a surge in homelessness, with numbers reaching record highs due to an influx of illegal immigrants, among other factors. In January 2024, at least 550,000 people were reported homeless, 10% higher than the previous year. Recall that you only hear concern about homelessness from the media and Democrats during Republican administrations though.

A report from the Wall Street Journal found that cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver are struggling to shelter growing homeless populations, with immigrants making up significant portions—over 70% in some areas.

More from the New York Post:

Migrants also accounted for more than seven out of 10 homeless people in the city of Chicago, whose counts tripled to more than 18,800 people on the streets and in shelters that month.

In Denver, where migrant gangs run roughshod, fresh waves of outsiders caused a staggering 42% increase in the city’s homeless population.

Migrant border crossings and busings have dropped since reaching their peak earlier this year.
…
California has been struggling to shelter the largest homeless population in the United States — even as Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom pressures cities to clear out encampments.

That state had more than 180,000 homeless in 2023, according to the most recent report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

HUD hasn’t released its official report for 2024. 

The Journal expects its own counts, which are conducted with the help of 250 organizations nationwide, to be much higher — and more accurate.

Rising housing costs, fentanyl use, and the end of pandemic-era tax credits have worsened the crisis. Massachusetts, for example, spends over $1 billion annually to house illegal immigrants, straining public resources and increasing crime.

What I’m Reading This Week

Late last week I started reading An Edited Life: Simple Steps to Streamlining Life, at Work and at Home by Anna Newton. It’s an easy read and timely if you’re looking to simplify before the holiday season begins. From the description:

Anna Newton is just trying to balance work, her friends, her family, her husband Mark, a growing handbag habit and a love for takeout pizza. Over the past 8 years of running the blog and corresponding YouTube [channel] 'The Anna Edit', she's grown a loyal viewership who tune in for her weekly videos on everything from house renovations to the best summer foundation.

Anna is a typical Virgo – she loves being organized. She's Marie Kondo'd her house, nearly throwing away her TV remote in the process. She's waved goodbye to her things with Fumio Sasaki. She's minimized and bullet-journalled her schedules down to the finest detail. Along the way, she's realized something key: there's no one prescription for an organized life, a tidy home, and calm mind. Instead, it's all about editing.

You can also check out her YouTube channel here.