CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — New numbers are out when it comes to homelessness. Although the news isn’t great, there is one bright spot.

The number of people without a home is up. But veterans are doing better.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urbana Development releases a report every year. It showed an 18% increase from 2023 to 2024 in people experiencing homelessness on any given night. But the number of veterans without a place to stay is the lowest it’s ever been — and is down almost 8% from last year.

These two trends are nationwide — but are we seeing the same in Champaign County?

Officials at the Housing Authority of Champaign County said the total number of homeless is up. The executive director said Champaign County got more HUD emergency housing vouchers than almost any county in the state. But — she isn’t sure if the number of homeless veterans is going down. She said special housing vouchers targeting retired military have been working well — which could explain the dip.

“I think the cost of housing is through the roof,” HACC Executive Director Lily Walton said. “It’s insane right now. And so, a lot of families were finding they can’t afford to stay where they are, where they’re currently residing, or they can’t afford the cost to get housed. Sometimes some landlords and property management companies are requiring three times the rent as the security deposit, depending on your credit score.”

Walton said the Housing Authority has services that help pay for things like a security deposit.

They also are partnered with CU at Home’s mid-barrier shelter and United Way’s family emergency shelter. She’s not sure when C-U at Home’s will be up and running — but the emergency shelter should be open by the spring of this year.