Homelessness surged last year in New Jersey, fueled in part by rising evictions, a new state report found.

Almost 11,300 people were unsheltered at least one day last year, up 20% from the previous year, while another 16,566 people spent time in a homeless shelter in 2022, up 17% from 2021, according to the state Office of Homelessness Prevention’s annual report, which was released Monday.

The report showed higher numbers of homelessness than what an August report found, largely because it drew data from more sources. Both cited eviction, rising rents, and a scarcity of affordable housing as key drivers of increased homelessness.

People being asked to leave a shared residence was the leading cause of homelessness last year, representing nearly a quarter of cases.

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Evictions drove homelessness up, prompting expanded rental assistance