Every year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducts a Point-in-Time (PIT) count of people experiencing homelessness across the country. For Delaware, these counts—administered through the DE-500 Continuum of Care—provide the most reliable snapshot of how many residents lack stable housing on any given night.
The 2024 PIT count found 1,358 people experiencing homelessness in Delaware, a 9% increase from the 2023 count of 1,245. While still below the pandemic-era spike, the trend line raises urgent questions about housing affordability and support services across the state.
Delaware Homeless Counts: Year-by-Year Breakdown
Here is how Delaware’s numbers have changed since 2017, based on official HUD PIT data:
| Year | Total Homeless | Unsheltered | Emergency Shelter | Transitional Housing | Veterans | Chronically Homeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 994 | 58 | 564 | 372 | 91 | 127 |
| 2018 | 1,082 | 93 | 702 | 287 | 70 | 189 |
| 2019 | 921 | 95 | 606 | 220 | 65 | 168 |
| 2020 | 1,165 | 150 | 739 | 276 | 78 | 267 |
| 2022 | 2,369 | 154 | 2,002 | 213 | 93 | 223 |
| 2023 | 1,245 | 198 | 827 | 220 | 79 | 176 |
| 2024 | 1,358 | 238 | 888 | 232 | 89 | 238 |
Source: HUD Exchange, Point-in-Time Count data for DE-500 Continuum of Care, 2017–2024. No count was conducted in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Takeaways from the 2024 Data
Unsheltered Homelessness Continues to Rise
The most alarming trend in the 2024 data is the continued increase in unsheltered individuals—people sleeping outside, in vehicles, or in places not designed for habitation. At 238, the unsheltered count is the highest in the seven-year dataset, up from just 58 in 2017. That is a 310% increase in people without any roof over their heads.
This suggests that while Delaware has expanded emergency shelter capacity (888 people were in emergency shelter in 2024, up from 564 in 2017), the growth has not kept pace with need.
Families with Children Remain Vulnerable
In 2024, 555 people in families with children were counted as homeless. While this is below the 2022 peak of 1,304—a year heavily influenced by pandemic-era eviction moratorium expirations—it remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (379 in 2017).
Veteran Homelessness Is Stubbornly Persistent
Delaware counted 89 homeless veterans in 2024. Despite federal initiatives like the HUD-VASH voucher program, veteran homelessness in the state has remained between 65 and 93 every year since 2017. Programs like the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans continue to be critical resources.
Chronic Homelessness at Record Levels
The 2024 count identified 238 chronically homeless individuals—people with a disabling condition who have been homeless for a year or more (or repeatedly). This ties with the 2024 unsheltered count as the highest figure recorded and reflects the growing challenge of connecting long-term homeless residents with permanent supportive housing.
What the Numbers Mean for Delaware Communities
The PIT count is a single-night snapshot and widely acknowledged to undercount the actual homeless population. Many people experiencing homelessness are doubled up with friends or family, staying in motels, or otherwise not visible to count teams. Researchers estimate the true number may be 2–3 times higher than the PIT figure.
For organizations working on the ground in Wilmington, Newark, and New Castle County, these numbers reinforce what service providers already know: the need for emergency services, emergency housing, and transitional programs continues to grow.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, visit our Services Directory or call Delaware 211 for a confidential referral to local resources.
