Number of the World Cup host cities have a homelessness problem. Here's how they are solving it
World Cup host cities are grappling with a homelessness problem as the tournament approaches, underscoring a clash between global spectacle and local shelter capacity. In Atlanta, the Downtown Rising initiative aimed to eradicate encampments ahead of a 39-day event that kicks off on June 11, with Pryor Street shelters housing nearly 500 people to date. Across North America, Seattle has announced a housing drive, and Dallas is expanding a downtown program to shelter rough sleepers. An Associated Press survey found most of the 16 venues—New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Toronto, Vancouver and others—rely on existing programs rather than new World Cup funding.
National data show homelessness rose sharply from 2023 to 2024, with about 770,000 people counted, though officials acknowledge undercounting. Last year’s tally fell to about 745,652, but progress remains uneven as cities balance costs and political will. Historically, major events have prompted mixed tactics, from sweeps to housing-first approaches; Atlanta’s 1996 Olympics-era actions and recent Super Bowl deployments illustrate the tension. Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, says communities can choose between easy sweeps and the harder, longer-term effort that benefits everyone—housed and unhoused—by providing sustainable shelter and services.
