Home Before Aid: The Political and Economic Case for Ending U.S. Homelessness Before Funding Foreign Interests

Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States continues to struggle with a severe homelessness crisis. As of 2023, more than 650,000 Americans experience homelessness on any given night. This thesis explores the economic feasibility and political implications of reallocating a small fraction of the United States’ foreign aid budget to end domestic homelessness. Through comparative analysis, government data, and economic modeling, this study demonstrates that financial capacity is not the barrier to ending homelessness—political will is. With just a fraction of the funds currently spent overseas, the U.S. could provide permanent housing, mental health services, and employment support for every unhoused citizen. This work calls for a fundamental reassessment of national priorities to bring our most vulnerable neighbors home.