Poll: Majority of Americans see homeless people in the area they live every week

A total of 54% of Americans now say they “see homeless people in the area where [they] live” at least once a week, according to a new recently released poll from Yahoo News/YouGov.

Those living in cities were more likely to encounter homeless people on a regular basis, with 68 percent saying they see homeless people every week. 

By comparison, 50 percent of those who live in suburbs say the same, as well as 43 percent of those who live in smaller towns and 38 percent of those who live in a rural area. One-third of respondents said they see homeless people in their area every day.

Democrats were 11 percent more likely to see homeless people in their area than Republicans do. Despite this, Democrats were less likely to say that homelessness has increased in their area.

Fifty percent of all respondents agreed that the number of homeless people in their area is higher than it was in the past. Only 9 percent said homelessness has decreased.

Fifty-four percent said they support “building more affordable housing in [their] area” to help address the issue.

The poll surveyed a total of 1,555 U.S. adults between Dec. 15-19.

Homelessness has become a major concern among Americans lately, with President Joe Biden announcing a plan to decrease the homeless population by 25 percent over the next two years.

“My plan offers a road map for not only getting people into housing but also ensuring that they have access to the support, services and income that allow them to thrive,” Biden said last week. “It is a plan that is grounded in the best evidence and aims to improve equity and strengthen collaboration at all levels.”