Homelessness in the United States remains a pressing issue, especially as rates have surged by 18.1% in 2024—a historic high. Vulnerable populations face rising housing costs, mass migration, and evictions, with many renters categorized as “cost-burdened.” Meanwhile, over 14 million vacant homes exist across the country, a number that far exceeds what’s needed to house every homeless individual.

A study by the Mortgage Calculator team maps this disparity, highlighting states with the highest ratio of vacant homes to homeless individuals. Mississippi tops the list with 187.31 vacant homes per homeless person. Despite high poverty levels, the state’s low cost of living and relatively small homeless population contribute to this striking ratio. Southern states dominate the map’s highest ratios, reflecting the availability of vacant housing in rural areas. However, these areas often lack the economic infrastructure and job opportunities necessary to support new residents, complicating potential solutions.

The findings reveal stark contrasts: urban areas, where jobs are more plentiful, tend to have higher homelessness rates but fewer vacant homes, while rural states have the opposite challenge. Advocates suggest that leveraging vacant housing could significantly reduce homelessness, but practical barriers remain. Addressing this issue will require not only repurposing unused housing but also creating sustainable economic opportunities to support vulnerable populations.

This study underscores the urgent need for innovative policies and programs to bridge the gap between empty housing and homelessness, offering hope for a more equitable future.

Click below to zoom.

A study by Paper Boss sheds light on the countries generating the most garbage per person, revealing critical insights into global waste production and recycling efforts. The top 10 waste-producing nations are Bahrain, Comoros, Canada, Denmark, the U.S., Kuwait, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Moldova, and Luxembourg.

Click below to zoom.

Bahrain, despite its small size, leads the list with 907 kilograms of waste per person annually. Rapid population growth and high levels of construction and industrial activity contribute significantly to this figure. Canada, ranking third with 777 kilograms of waste per person, offsets some of its impact by recycling 27% of its trash.

Germany stands out as the global leader in recycling, with an impressive 47% recycling rate. This success stems from a well-established culture of sustainability, where children are taught to separate waste from an early age. Strict regulations, including fines for failing to recycle, further reinforce this commitment.

Interestingly, nations like Switzerland, Denmark, and Luxembourg appear on both the highest waste-producing and top-recycling lists, reflecting a complex balance between consumption and sustainability efforts.

The study underscores the pressing need to address rising waste levels worldwide. Countries like Germany demonstrate how prioritizing education, infrastructure, and accountability can lead to more sustainable practices. By adopting such strategies, other nations could work toward effectively reducing their environmental footprint and combating the global waste crisis.

The team at Mortgage Calculator released a study examining COVID-19’s impact on the American housing market. The pandemic hugely impacted the global economy, creating shifts in the prices of groceries, cars, gas, and homes. Generally, home prices skyrocketed all around the country. Their research showed that these ten U.S. cities had the largest home price increases:

• Irvine, CA
• Detroit, MI
• Fayetteville, NC
• Miami, FL
• Tampa, FL
• Buffalo, NY
• Port St. Lucie, FL
• Newark, NJ
• San Bernardino, CA
• Petersburg, FL

Click below to zoom.

There are many reasons that home prices rose so much between 2020 and 2024. The economy was chaotic and uncertain during the pandemic, with average people feeling unequipped to navigate the changes. Many people lost jobs, especially those who held public-facing positions. Others switched to remote work, forcing them to make their home their workspace. For some, this was an ideal situation; others wished for a new home to accommodate their new way of working. Unemployment rose to a higher rate than it had in 80 years. This situation left many seeking new situations, but just as many felt they should plant deeper roots instead.

There were not enough houses to fit the number of people searching for a move or first-time home ownership. Interest rates soared. People moved out of city centers to rural and suburban communities. This left the housing market in flux with skyrocketing prices, as we can see from the in-depth research presented in this chart.