Homelessness is intensifying across Ohio, with new reports showing that the number of people without stable housing continues to climb. Despite efforts by state and local organizations, persistent housing shortages, high rents, and reduced pandemic relief support have compounded the problem for Ohio’s most vulnerable residents.
Homelessness Trends in 2025
Data released from the January 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count show a 7.4% increase in people experiencing homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County compared to the previous year.
The total count reached an all-time high of 2,556 individuals, a figure that reflects ongoing increases over several consecutive years. Smaller increases have been recorded for the past few years, with a particularly sharp 22% rise noted in 2022, making this the largest cumulative growth in homelessness the area has seen.
Across the state, homelessness rates have surged by 10% since 2020. In Dayton and Montgomery County, for example, homelessness has risen by 56% since 2022, and similar patterns are emerging in rural and suburban communities throughout Ohio.
Demographics and Shifts in Sheltered Populations
The 2025 PIT Count data shed light on who is being affected:
- Single adults experiencing homelessness rose by 14%
- Unaccompanied youth increased by 31%, with 207 counted in 2025 versus 158 in 2024
- Families experiencing homelessness decreased by 9%, but the number of unsheltered families rose
- More people are finding shelter or transitional housing—up 13% year over year
- 95% increase in people using winter warming centers to avoid unsheltered nights
Racial disparities persist: 57% of those counted were men, 42% women, and more than half identified as Black while about one-third were white.
Affordable Housing Shortages: The Driving Force
A key driver behind Ohio’s worsening homelessness is the severe shortage of affordable rentals. The 2025 Gap Report found Ohio lacking 264,000 rental homes that are both affordable and available to extremely low-income households…