(WPRI) — A new report is shedding light on the number of people experiencing homelessness across the United States and in Southern New England. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report: Part 1: Point in Time Estimates last week. The report is a snapshot, showing the number of individuals who were in shelters, temporary housing or an unsheltered setting on a single night in January. MORE: Families facing eviction from Massachusetts overflow shelters The report found that 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States, which is an 18% increase from 2023. Massachusetts saw a 74% increase in family homelessness. The report notes that many communities attributed this dramatic rise with the state's right-to-shelter law and the influx of arriving migrant families, refugees and asylum seekers who don't have living arrangements yet. ALSO READ: Record number of deportations seen in Massachusetts Of the people in Massachusetts who were experiencing homelessness at the time, the report said that 76% were doing so in families with children. Crossroads Rhode Island CEO and President Michelle Wilcox told 12 News Rhode Island does not have an influx of migrants, but the state is also seeing an uptick in families experiencing homelessness. "We're really seeing people experiencing homelessness, people entering homelessness, as folks who are already here," she noted. Wilcox believes the uptick in Rhode Island is an unintended consequence of COVID-era funding coming to an end. "When folks no longer had those supports, they found themselves entering homelessness for the first time," Wilcox said. RELATED: It’s now unaffordable to buy a home anywhere in RI The HUD report found that Rhode Island had one of the highest rates of people experiencing chronic patterns of homelessness in 2024. "HUD has a definition of chronic homelessness," Wilcox explained. "It refers to a person who has a disabling condition, and who has been homeless for 12 months consecutively, or who has experienced four or more episodes of homelessness over the course of three years." The report said of those experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island, 48% of people were in a chronic pattern of homelessness. Washington was the only state with a higher rate at 49%. (Courtesy: HUD) Wilcox said many of the people Crossroads assists have multiple jobs and have never been homeless before. "If there isn't enough housing available that they can afford, there is no other option," Wilcox explained. Right now, Crossroads is in the process of building apartments off of Summer Street in Providence. Once completed, the complex will have 176 "permanently affordable" apartments. The project is set to be completed in September, 2025. SEE ALSO: Crossroads RI holds tour of new apartment complex for homeless Wilcox said Crossroads may also break ground later this month on a brand new health and housing facility. "We need to continue to invest in [affordable housing] because every day that goes by, the problem is potentially getting worse," Wilcox said. "We're going to see the numbers start to trend down ... but that is only going to happen when we've increased the supply of housing." NEXT: RI renters struggle as cost of typical apartment nears $2,000 Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW