For the first time since 2010, America's homeless population has increased.
In January, cities across the U.S. conduct an annual Point in Time count. This year's collected data is now a part of a report that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released Wednesday.
The report revealed nearly 554,000 homeless people across the nation. That is up 1 percent from 2016.
In Seattle, the unsheltered population grew by 44 percent over two years to nearly 5,500.
Wednesday night, a homeless man named Edward said for him it was the "rent factor."
"Cost of living is too high in Seattle, and I was forced out of my place, because of rent increases. I couldn't pay it anymore, which drives me further away from Seattle to find affordable housing," said Edward.
He's been living on the streets for a year. Every night he waits in a long line, hoping to secure a spot in one of Seattle's shelters.
At city hall, homelessness has been called a crisis.
Recently, former Mayor Tim Burgess announced $34 million in new funding. The plan is for more money to be spent on enhanced shelters, which provide support services including treatment, case management, and housing connections.
The Associated Press contributed.
