Kc 2015 ahar_data_summary
- 1. KENT COUNTY HOMELESSNESS 2015 DATA SUMMARY
- 2. INDIVIDUALS TOUCHED THE HOMELESSNESS SYSTEM IN 2015 9,842
- 3. Of these 9,842 individuals… …some were families…
- 4. There were 2,252 families that contacted the system due to homelessness. Family size averaged 1.75 children in each family, just below the national average of 1.8 children per family.
- 5. …some were on their own…
- 6. 556 2,922 Of the 3,478 single adults – 15% were considered youth (between the ages of 18 and 24)
- 7. …ALL were in need of safe, affordable housing so that they could resume living their lives as they were meant to.
- 8. The demographic data collected throughout the year helps us to see where more resources might need to be focused, the types of resources most needed, and how people are falling into homelessness to better inform prevention and outreach efforts.
- 9. 2015 ANNUAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
- 10. LITERALLY HOMELESS 48% IMMINENT RISK 52% CATEGORY OF HOMELESSNESS 4,602 people were Literally Homeless when they sought services. Literally Homeless is the HUD Definition, Category 1 defined as staying in shelter, on the streets or another place not fit for human habitation. Most of the resources, nationally and locally, are targeted toward this population as housing them will have the greatest impact in reducing the number of persons experiencing homelessness. 5,240 people were at Imminent Risk of homelessness. Imminent Risk of Homelessness is defined by the HUD definition, Category 2 as facing eviction within 14 days of seeking services. While it is important to prevent these individuals from becoming homeless, many will avoid homelessness by tapping into their own natural supports such as friends and family.
- 11. SINGLE ADULTS 34% ADULTS IN FAMILIES 26% CHILDREN IN FAMILIES 39% UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH 1% HOUSEHOLD TYPE Of those seeking services: 3,478 were people over the age of 18 who are living on their own. 149 people were unaccompanied youth, these are individuals under the age of 18 who are on their own without parents or guardians. 2,679 were adults in families. Some of these families had one adult, and others would have had two or more adults based on number of parents and ages of children. 3,943 were children living in families with the adults listed above.
- 12. AFRICAN AMERICAN 62% WHITE 22% NATIVE AMERICAN 1% OTHER OR UNKNOWN 1% HISPANIC/LATINO 12% PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BY RACE 6,215 African American 2,225 White 1,189 Hispanic/Latino 133 Native American 40 Asian American 34 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 10 Multi-Racial 10 Other Race 119 Unknown or Not Shared
- 13. SPECIAL POPULATION AREAS: VETERANS, CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, AND YOUTH
- 14. MALE, 359 FEMALE, 80 VETERANS The Coalition has taken up the challenge to end Veteran homelessness by the end of 2016. Ending Veteran homelessness means that if another Veteran were to become homeless, there would immediately be a resources available to quickly secure permanent housing. This goal can be accomplished by housing 22 Veterans a month, each month in 2016.
- 15. 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Oct 14-Oct 15 Nov 15-Feb 16 Mar 16-May 16 PROGRESS IN HOUSING VETERANS Housed Searching Homeless The data used in this chart comes from data collected by Community Rebuilders, the Veteran lead grantee for the community, working in collaboration with others that include the Salvation Army, Coalition to End Homelessness staff, and Volunteers of America. Updates are available at communityrebuilders.org/zero2016/
- 16. 15 48 72 135 137 27 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and up NUMBER BY AGE Although the commitment of housing providers is showing remarkable progress in housing Veterans, the work becomes even more urgent when we look at the age distribution of these men and women. An aging population of Veterans means housing is that much more critical for preventing and treating growing health concerns. It is critical that we allow our Veterans to age with safety and dignity.
- 17. CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS CHRONICALLY HOMELESS 4% The Coalition has accepted the Federal goal of ending chronic homelessness in 2017. Meeting this goal will take all providers working together to increase available resources and identify those who have been homeless for a year or longer and have a disability. Housing people who were chronically homeless has proven time and time again to save taxpayers money, within the first months of being housed and can save millions of dollars over years.
- 18. YOUTH 659 373 75 165 183 74 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 IN FAMILY (18-24) INDIVIDUAL (18-24 YEARS) UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH FEMALE/TRANSGENDER FEMALE (4) MALE/TRANSGENDER MALE (1) *UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH ARE YOUTH WHO ARE UNDER AGE 18 AND ARE WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN ** IN FAMILY (18-24): 188 OR 23% WERE IN A PARENT’S HOUSEHOLD, 77% WERE THE HEAD OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD OR PARTNER OF THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
- 19. The Coalition has a goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020. When youth experience homelessness… …their rates of completing high school or college drop, …their risks of involvement in the criminal justice system rise, …their opportunities for gainful employment decrease, …and their lifetime health outcomes are poorer. Keeping youth housed throughout these foundational years helps ensure a brighter future not only for them, but for our world.
- 20. Included data was collected from information entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database. Participating organizations in HMIS data collection are: Arbor Circle Community Rebuilders Dégagé Ministries Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids Family Promise of Grand Rapids Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation Grand Rapids Housing Commission Grand Rapids Urban League Guiding Light Mission Inner City Christian Federation Mel Trotter Ministries Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services The Salvation Army Social Services Volunteers of America Well House