Four-Year Homeless Trends

June 2011

William Macmillan, Management Analyst

Office to Prevent and End Homelessness

Fairfax County, Virginia

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Summary of Point-in-Time Highlights• Over a four years, number of homeless persons in Fairfax-Falls

Church decreased by 15.6% from 1,835 in 2008 to 1,549 in 2011.

• Homeless families decreased by nearly 15% from 311 in 2008 to 265 in 2011.

• Number of children under 18 decreased by 20% from 673 in 2008 to 539 in 2011.

• Single individuals decreased by 10.5% from 744 in 2008 to 666 in

2011, now including 8 persons in a safe haven.

• The unduplicated total counted for all of FY 2010 was 3,076.

• HOST prevented nearly 900 persons from becoming homeless during 2010.

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Homeless Trend Since 2008

• Since 2008, decrease in single individuals and persons in families.

• 2008 was the high point.

• The overall reduction from 2008 to 2011 is 15.6%.

730 1083

744 1091

663 1067

652 892

666 883

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Number of Persons

Homeless Individuals and Persons in Families

2010

2009

2008

2007

1544

1730

1835

1813

2011 1549

4

Regional Trends 2008-2011

• Metropolitan region has varied by about 2% from 11,706 in 2008 to 11,988 in 2011.

• Fairfax-Falls Church has dropped from 55% to 48% of total homeless persons in Northern Virginia – and 13% of metro region. Alexandria Arlington Fairfax-Falls

ChurchLoudoun Prince William

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000Homeless in Northern Virginia 2008-2011

2008 2009 2010 2011

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– Since 2008 hypothermia prevention programs and seasonal beds have sheltered over 200 people per night during winter months, and a 1,000 or more during the four-month season.

– Persons who were unsheltered dropped from 212 in 2008 to 135 in 2011.

– Individuals counted in Permanent Supportive Housing increased from 250 in 2008 to 336 in 2011.

– Of the 3,076 persons who were homeless in all of FY 2010, 482 moved into some type of permanent housing.

Affects of Program Changes

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Individuals in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

• No longer counted as homeless.

• Increasing PSH is key goal of housing first.

• Less emphasis on transitional housing.

• Provides long-term supports based on individual need.

242

250

294

310

336

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Individuals in Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent Supportive Housing

2009

2008

2007

2010

2011

7

Housing Shift with Families

• Less transitional, more focus on moving families to permanent housing.

• One transitional shelter now counted with emergency shelter.

• 17 of 20 former units of transitional housing converted to permanent supportive housing.

• No time limit on permanent housing, and supports can continue as needed.

154 136 793

65 198 828

22 205 840

35 187 670

55 244 584

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Where Persons in Families Were Counted

Overflow-Voucher-Other Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing

2010

2009

2008

2007

2011

892

1067

1091

1083

883

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• Among adults in families, 60% reported employment, a drop

from 62% in 2010.– Public assistance was primary source for 15% of families– Average monthly income reported = $1,227 – A drop from $1248 in 2010

• Among singles, only 19% reported employment, down from 23% in 2010.

– Disability income was the primary source for 17% of singles– Average monthly income reported = $638– A drop from $648 in 2010

Poverty - Major Factor for All

Homeless Persons

Demographics – Single Individuals

• Some increase in elderly and young adults, decrease in persons aged 35 – 54

• Race/ethnic distribution 2011 2010 2009 2008– Hispanic (any race) 19% 17% 19% 20%– White (non-Hispanic) 39% 39% 40% 38%– Black (non-Hispanic) 35% 31% 33% 35%– Asian/Multi-racial/Other 7% 13% 8% 7%

9

Age 18-34

Age 35-54

Age 55 and over

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Age Groups of Single Individuals

2011

2010

2009

2008

Percentage of Individuals

Demographics – Persons in Families

• Most adults (55%) are under 35; very few over 55• Nearly half (45%) of children are under 6

– About one-third (31%) are elementary age (6-11)– About one-fourth (24%) are adolescents (12-17)

• Race/ethnicity shifting to fewer Blacks, more Hispanic & White

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Asian/Multi-racial/Other

Black (non-Hispanic)

White (non-Hispanic)

Hispanic (any race)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Race/Ethnicity in Families

2011

2010

2009

2008

Percentage of Persons

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Subpopulations for Individuals

• Mental illness, substance abuse, or both afflict 60%.

• Health problems are significant.

• 24% are refugees or language minorities, up from 15% in 2008.

• 16% became homeless from an institution, a drop from 22% in 2008.

• 39% are chronically homeless, a drop from 54% in 2008.

• 9% are veterans of U.S. military service.

No Identified subpopulation

Chronically Homeless

Veteran of U.S. Military Service

Homeless from an Institution

Language Minority

Chronic Health Problems

Dual Diagnosis (SMI & CSA)

Chronic Substance Abuse

Seriously Mentally Ill

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

85

258

52

109

162

94

103

175

121

Major subpopulations – Single Individuals 2011

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Subpopulations for Families

• Only three subpopulations have more than 10%.

• Victims of domestic violence increased from 24% in 2008 to 35% in 2011.

• Language minorities/ refugees increased from 33% in 2008 to 41% in 2011.

• Persons with no identified subpopulation are usually homeless due to poverty, not to other factors – decreased from 42% in 2008 to 31% in 2011.

No Identified Subpopulation

Language Minority

Victims of Domestic Violence

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

277

363

309

Major subpopulations – Persons in Families 2011

Number of Persons