State of Homelessness 2020 Edition

State of Homelessness 2020 Edition As the Alliance releases this updated State of Homelessness report, COVID-19 is causing a global and American health and economic crisis. It is too early to tell what its final effects will be. Therefore, the baseline—the level of homelessness prior to the start of the crisis—is represented in this year's study. It also represents some first thoughts and forecasts regarding how the pandemic will affect this susceptible group. Homelessness in America HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time Count in January 2019 found that on one night in January 2019, 17 out of 10,000 Americans were homeless. A cross-section of America is represented by these 567,715 individuals. They are linked to every racial or ethnic group, gender category, family status, and geographical area of the nation. Substantial subpopulations. Homelessness is substantially represented by the following subpopulations: People. People who live alone or with other adults make up 70% of those who are homeless. Families with children make up the remaining 30% of the population. Gender has a key role in defining homelessness. Males make about 60% of the total homeless population. The figures are more pronounced among individuals, with men and unaccompanied male minors making up 70%. Not protected. In America, far too many people sleep outdoors and in other places that aren't suitable for human habitation. Over 200,000 persons (37 percent of the total population) belong to this group. The statistics are even worse for those who are homeless—one in two are not sheltered. One justification for concentrating on a homeless subpopulation is its numerical size. Another is risk. Compared to the national average, some groups are far more likely to experience homelessness. Among all racial/ethnic groups, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders have the highest rates of homelessness in the United States. In the former, there are 160 homeless persons for every 10,000, while the national average is 17 for every 10,000. The U.S. Census Bureau and homelessness services agencies have a harder time adequately counting Pacific Islanders and Native Americans because they are numerically small groups in the country. However, the information at hand indicates that they confront formidable obstacles. The situation is same for Hispanics/Latinos, Black Americans, and multiracial Americans. Compared to white Americans and the national average, group members have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness. Groups with Priority. Some other subpopulations have been highlighted by researchers and the public policy community. People with disabilities who have been homeless for an extended period of time or repeatedly are considered chronically homeless. At the moment, they make up 17% of the population. Veterans, who make up 7% of the homeless population, are given preference because of their national service. Additionally, unaccompanied youth, who make up 6% of the population, are a vulnerable demographic that includes people under 25. COVID-19 is at risk. The CDC states that certain people are more susceptible to developing a significant COVID-19 infection. Those 65 and older are among them. But those who are homeless age more quickly than those who are sheltered. According to research, their physical circumstances are similar to those of people who are 15 to 20 years older than them. On a single day, an estimated 202,623 single adults experiencing homelessness are over age 50, suggesting they may be uniquely vulnerable to becoming seriously ill during the pandemic crisis. An additional CDC-identified risk group is people with pre-existing health conditions. Before the current crisis, growing numbers were experiencing unsheltered homelessness—a living situation associated with poor health. A recent study sampled unsheltered individuals from across the country, finding 84 percent self-reporting existing physical health conditions. The same was said by just 19% of shelter residents. Trends in Homelessness The 2019 Point-in-Time Count showed a 3% rise in homelessness over the prior year. This was the third consecutive year of growth at the national level. Long-term trends have been declining notwithstanding this negative movement. Since the start of nationwide data gathering in 2007, the overall rate of homelessness has dropped by 12%. These small victories could be erased or weakened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Progress to date has been mixed. Over the past ten years, the most notable progress has been made by subpopulations that are given priority in policy and practice, including financing decisions. The largest reductions in homelessness—50 percent—were seen by veterans. Although the decreases in other subpopulations have been modest, they are still greater than those in the general homeless population. They comprise those living in families (29 percent), those who are homeless for an extended period of time (9 percent), and those who are homeless without a shelter (10 percent). There is one group that is clearly lagging behind the rest. Over the past ten years, people have only seen a 0.2% decrease in homelessness. Some are chronically homeless, veterans, and unaccompanied minors. Although they only comprise a small portion of the population, these subgroups have been making more progress than the overall population. They also serve to conceal the slower growth of the vast majority of people who are not veterans, unaccompanied adolescents, or chronically homeless. Additionally, the rise in total homelessness at the national level during the past three years is entirely the fault of individuals. During that time, although the number of persons living in families continued to decline, the number of homeless individuals rose by 11%. All racial/ethnic groups, men, women, and those who are chronically homeless are affected by this increasing trend. others. States. Similar to subpopulations, homelessness is declining in some states more than in Homelessness has decreased in 30 states since the previous year. The more successful stories are further highlighted by long-term patterns. Most states (37) have seen a decrease in homelessness since 2007, with Michigan (-70 percent), Kentucky (-49 percent), and New Jersey (-49 percent) seeing the biggest increases. The number of homeless persons in other states has increased since more than ten years ago. During that time, the numbers of 14 have increased by 2 to 72 percent. To guarantee that these states acquire significant traction in the battle against homelessness, fresh and forceful action is required. Geographic Regions Experiencing the Greatest Challenges Finding the areas with the greatest difficulties helps guide national initiatives to eradicate homelessness. It matters. Analyzing the areas with the highest rates of homelessness is one strategy. Continuums of Care (CoCs) that serve New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Texas' Balance of State are among them, along with states like California, Florida, New York, and Texas. One thing unites these places: rather sizable general populations. Major cities and the Balance of States, which cover large swaths of area (including many towns and cities), are among them. The five states with the highest rates of homelessness account for 56% of all homeless people. The twenty CoCs with the greatest rates of homelessness include more than one in three. As a result, most jurisdictions have a much smaller burden to handle, whereas a large portion of this national challenge is concentrated in a few locations. Prices. Homelessness rates are another indicator of how serious the issue is in a given jurisdiction. They show how many people are homeless in comparison to the overall population. Rates vary greatly throughout the nation. New York (47 out of 10,000) and the District of Columbia (93 out of 10,000) have the highest rates of homelessness among states and territories. Mississippi (4 out of 10,000) and Louisiana (6 out of 10,000) have the lowest rates, in contrast. High-rate jurisdictions are home to a large number of homeless individuals. The five states/territories with the highest rates contain 45% of the total. There are other noteworthy housing difficulties linked to many of the high rate states and CoCs. Many of them have the largest rent burdens (housing costs as a % of income) and the highest housing costs in the country, according to researchers and advocates. Anomalies include certain states and CoCs. Their numbers and rates go against predictions based on the size of the population and the expense of housing. These states and localities could have unique traits related to culture, history, or governmental policies. Some may have systems for providing services to the homeless that are either very successful or fall well short of their promise. COVID-19. Since counts and rates represent the amount of people in need of homeless services, they usually provide valuable information about the difficulties facing homeless systems. The number of individuals who get COVID-19 while in need of homeless services is a new problem during the current pandemic. Without a place to live, it is difficult, if not impossible, to adhere to stay-at-home orders, social isolation, and self-quarantine. In order to provide the greatest care for individuals in shelters and unsheltered areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released guidelines. Homeless services systems are facing additional challenges in meeting COVID-19-related health requirements, particularly those with high rates of infected clients. The number of COVID-19 cases among homeless persons in the country's counties is predicted by recent study. Major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, San Jose, Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Phoenix are home to the majority of those who are dealing with the most difficult issues. Homeless Assistance in America Systems of homeless assistance lack the resources necessary to adequately address the needs of all homeless people. Examining the challenging choices they have to make, such as how to divide the few resources at their disposal, is therefore beneficial. Short-term housing. The number of beds in transitional housing, safe havens, and emergency shelters has dropped by 9% in the past five years. The Point-in-Time count provides an interesting snapshot of these beds at the national level. The conditions in each community are different. Overall, nevertheless, only 51% of individuals and 100% of families (the latter having a surplus of more than 15,000 beds) could access a bed during the year. Some municipalities periodically add seasonal beds to these year-round beds throughout the winter. However, a large number of individuals lack shelter and live on the streets, in dilapidated structures, or in other unfit places for human life. Although living without shelter is primarily difficult for single persons, some families with kids also experience this. A new kind of emergency is being created by COVID-19. An initial assessment indicates that 400,000 additional units are required to treat the ill and stop the infection from spreading. These accommodations would provide isolation, quarantine, and social distancing for those who are usually living unsheltered or in congested shelter situations. Long-term housing. Over the past five years, the number of beds in permanent housing (Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, and Other) has climbed by 20%, while the number of beds in temporary housing has fallen by 9%. These figures show a change in the priorities of policy. Instead of letting people remain in shelters and unsheltered areas permanently, there is a renewed focus on eliminating homelessness by placing more people in permanent housing. Over the past five years, 47 states and the District of Columbia have joined this trend, increasing the number of beds in permanent housing. During these brief years, eleven states and territories raised them by over fifty percent. Permanent housing currently accounts for 57% of all homeless system beds. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is the most prevalent form of homeless assistance in the country. This category now accounts for 41% of system beds, a 96% increase since 2007. The second most common intervention, emergency shelter beds, has grown by 38% since 2007. The newest kind of permanent housing intervention, fast rehousing, is expanding quickly. Compared to five years ago, the number of beds in this category has increased by 87%. The only intervention that is seeing a decrease is transitional housing, which now has 55% fewer beds than it did in 2007. This change reflects the trend toward increased funding for longterm housing alternatives. Populations at Risk of Homelessness 38.1 million Americans, or 11.8 percent of the total population, are living in poverty. They find it difficult to pay basic needs like housing. 6.5 million Americans suffered from severe housing expense burden in 2018, meaning that housing accounted for more than half of their income. This was the fourth consecutive year that the size of this group has declined. However, compared to 2007, when the country started tracking homelessness data, the number of Americans who are significantly cost burdened is still 13% greater. "Doubling up," or living with someone else for financial reasons, is another indicator of housing trouble. An estimated 4 million persons experienced these circumstances in 2018. Some of these individuals are at risk of homelessness because of strained relationships with their hosts or other difficulties in the home. Although the number of doubled up individuals has been declining over the past five years, it is still 12% greater than it was in 2007. The number of Americans who are at danger of homelessness has not decreased significantly over the past ten years. Furthermore, not many states are seeing notable advancements in these fields. Colorado is at the top of the list for high housing cost burden, yet its numbers have only decreased by 13% since 2007. Colorado is the state that has made the biggest strides in the doubled up category during the same time period, although its number has only dropped by 34%. The majority of states are experiencing a significant increase in housing costs and doubling of their population. Sources and Methodology Annual point-in-time (PIT) counts by Continuums of Care (CoCs) to determine the number of homeless individuals on a particular night serve as the basis for data on homelessness. January 2019 counts are the most recent. HUD Exchange offers point-in-time data from 2007 to 2019. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program, which can be accessible through American FactFinder, compares point-in-time counts to state, county, and city population data to determine the rates of homelessness (table PEPANNRES: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population, 2018 version). About a dozen CoC boundaries line up with cities that are completely contained within a single county, whereas the majority line up with one or more counties. Nonetheless, four CoCs (Atlanta, GA; Amarillo, TX; Kansas City, MO; and Oklahoma City, OK) coincide with city borders that cross several counties. The population was approximated for these using trends from the previous year. Every year, CoCs publish point-in-time counts and data on homeless assistance, or the number of beds available in homeless services programs on a particular night. The Housing Inventory Count (HIC), which is also accessible on HUD Exchange for the years 2007 through 2019, compiles these statistics. The National Alliance to End Homelessness's analysis of the Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates, which can be viewed through American FactFinder, provided the data on at-risk populations. families that pay 50% or more of their entire household income for housing rent and whose total income is below the appropriate poverty criterion are considered poor renter families with a significant housing cost burden. Poverty for individuals living in doubles is determined by the household's income and composition in relation to the poverty thresholds. If an adult child (18 years of age or older) is not enrolled in school, married, and/or has children, a sibling, a parent or parent-in-law, an adult grandchild who is not enrolled in school, a grandchild who belongs to a subfamily, a son or daughter-in-law, another relative, or any non-relative, they are all considered to be living doubled up.