Here's what you can do to help the homeless this holiday season

• Homelessness has increased this year amid worsening affordable housing shortages in certain cities across the US.
• You can help. Here are four ways you can impact the lives of people living on the streets.

Walk the streets of virtually any major city in the US and you are likely to encounter people who are homeless.

Homelessness is on the rise in the US, especially in Los Angeles where severe affordable housing shortages exist. Overall, homelessness increased by .7% this year compared to 2016, NPR reported.

One night earlier this year, more than 550,000 homeless people were recorded across the country, according to a recent report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In many cases, homelessness stems from a string of unfortunate events. The lack of support from family or friends oftentimes makes it difficult for those down on their luck to get back on their feet.

But there are actions you can take that could help individuals struggling on the streets. Here are some ways you can make an impact: