Final answer:
The most comprehensive estimate of the homeless population in the US is the annual Point-in-Time count by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most rigorous estimate of the homeless population in the US is the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count organized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This count is conducted at the end of January each year, where volunteers across the country try to count every person living on the streets or in homeless shelters. Although this is widely considered the most comprehensive attempt to measure homelessness, it still has limitations, such as undercounting and the transitory nature of homelessness. The HUD also provides estimates and an in-depth analysis through its Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR).
Homelessness is a serious issue in the United States, with an estimated half-million people living on the streets or in shelters. In 2019, Los Angeles County alone had nearly 60,000 homeless, a number which has increased as rents have soared. Moreover, a global pandemic has heightened risks, potentially increasing homelessness rates. On an international scale, the United Nations has labeled homelessness as a violation of human dignity, emphasizing the need for a global response to this crisis.