A cardboard sign reading “Help” is placed among blankets and closing in this file photo.
The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “What Is True?” team, during routine monitoring of social media posts for potentially false information, recently identified two claims about homelessness in Hattiesburg:
— The city has the highest homeless population in Mississippi.
— City officials have taken no steps to address homelessness.
We rate the population claim as “Misleading” and the city officials claim as “False.”
Hattiesburg did report the highest number of homeless individuals in the Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care during a 2025 one-night count, but data from the Jackson metro and Gulf Coast regions had not been released as of June — making it inaccurate to say the city leads the entire state.
The claim that the city has done nothing is directly contradicted by structured outreach, partnerships and initiatives launched since 2024.
For full context, read the fact-check below:
Widely circulated social media claims about homelessness in Hattiesburg say the city has the highest homeless population in Mississippi and that the city government has taken no steps to address it.
The first part of the claim is misleading. The second is false.
Hattiesburg was ranked as the most homeless-populated city in the Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care during the 2025 Point-in-Time Count — a one-night census conducted each January to estimate sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, sheltered individuals are those staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs on the night of the count. Unsheltered individuals are those residing in places not meant for human habitation, such as vehicles, parks or abandoned buildings.
The Balance of State Continuum includes 71 of Mississippi’s 82 counties, primarily rural and small urban areas, but it does not include the Jackson metro or six coastal counties, which are served by separate Continuums of Care. As of June 2025, those two regions had not publicly released their data, so it cannot be confirmed whether Hattiesburg has the highest homeless population in the state overall.
The Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care was established in 1991 to improve the delivery of homeless services through collaboration among agencies. It is one of three regional planning bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to oversee funding and coordination for local housing and homelessness programs.
In the 2025 count, Forrest County — where most of Hattiesburg’s shelters and homeless services are located — reported 145 individuals experiencing homelessness, including 79 sheltered and 66 unsheltered. All were located within the Hattiesburg city limits in Forrest County.
That was the highest total among all counties in the Balance of State region, up slightly from 140 the year before. Experts with Mississippi United to End Homelessness, which manages the Balance of State Continuum, say Hattiesburg’s role as a regional hub contributes to the higher count, since individuals from nearby counties often travel there for services.
The city also has more outreach programs and shelters than surrounding communities, making homelessness more visible and more likely to be recorded accurately.
The second part of the claim ignores efforts the city government has taken to address the issue.
According to city officials, Hattiesburg has launched multiple initiatives in recent years to address homelessness in a coordinated and sustainable way. In 2024, the city launched the Hattiesburg Homelessness Coalition, a partnership that includes city departments, local nonprofits, health care providers, faith leaders and advocacy groups.
The city also employs a full-time homeless coordinator who works with the Hub City Homeless Outreach Team to conduct regular outreach and connect people with services.
These efforts are coordinated in partnership with the Mississippi Balance of State Continuum and supported by organizations such as Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources, Christian Services and The Salvation Army.
Key initiatives include a centralized intake system to better match individuals with housing resources as well as strategic use of federal funding through the Continuum of Care network.
It is also important to note that the Point-in-Time Count represents a single-night census and may not fully capture individuals experiencing “hidden homelessness,” such as those staying in motels or couch-surfing with friends or family.
While challenges remain, including limited funding and persistent housing needs, the claim that the city has done nothing is directly contradicted by the structure, programs and partnerships now in place.
Clarifying the facts about homelessness and the local response ensures the public receives accurate information, particularly when social media claims oversimplify or distort the situation.
Misinformation on this issue can weaken support for real solutions — and make it harder for those doing the work to build trust and make progress.
Editor’s Note: The Jackson metro and Mississippi Gulf Coast regions are served by separate Continuums of Care and had not publicly released their 2025 homelessness data as of June 19. The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center contacted both regions to request these reports but had not received a response by press time.
This report was produced by the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center as part of its “What Is True?” fact-checking service. The center’s researchers investigate local claims to help the public separate fact from fiction. To learn more or submit a claim for review, visit rhcjcnews.com/witreq.