Each year, communities across the nation participate in a Point in Time Homeless Count during the last week in January. The results of the Point in Time Count are important to the coordinated efforts of the Continuum of Care (CoC) to end homelessness. The information is also used by government entities and other community partners that allocate resources to meet the needs of fragile families.
Here are a few of the key findings:
• The sheltered and unsheltered PIT count on January 31, 2018 was 532 persons Overall, our count indicated an 8% decrease from the 2017 count, and over a 43% decrease over 5 years.
• We have seen a significant decrease in the number of homeless persons in families, with a 6.5 % decrease this year, and an 54% decrease over the last five years. This can be attributed to a strengthening economy and a focus on rapid rehousing for families experiencing homelessness.
• Three populations of homelessness continue to need our Community focus:
Youth ages 18-24
-The population of homeless single adults between the ages of 18-24 has increased 6% over the past year, and 57% over five years.
-The population of all homeless adults between the ages of 18-24 has increased 3.4% in the last year, and 87% over the past 5 years.
Veteran homeless
-More homeless veterans are being identified in our community due to better outreach.
-While we saw a one year community decrease, there has been an increase of 200% in identification of homeless veterans in the last 5 years.
-A further increase has been noted since launch of Coordinated Entry..
Unsheltered homeless adults
-While the unsheltered Point in time count population shows a decrease in the unsheltered population, our new Coordinated Entry data shows a different picture.
-Emerging data from the 211 Coordinated Entry helpline is helping us to identify many more unsheltered homeless in our community.
-Since the launch of Coordinated Entry, the list of literally homeless persons in our community is consistently above 500, with at least 250 unsheltered each day.
Our Community is improving our response to persons experiencing homelessness in our community, through the launch of our 211 Coordinated Entry system. With better data on persons experiencing a housing crisis, we will be better able to adjust our community response to meet emerging and changing needs of our homeless populations.
• Current Community Progress on Strategic Plan to End Homelessness:
-End Chronic Homelessness – 8% decrease in 1 year; 42% decrease in 5 years
-End Veteran Homelessness – 18% decrease in 1 year; 200% increase in 5 years
-Ending Youth Homelessness (<25) – 27% decrease in 1 year; 108% increase in 5 years
-Ending Family Homelessness – 7% decrease in 1 year; 54% decrease over 5 years
