four-year homeless trends
DESCRIPTION
In February 2007, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed the “Blueprint for Success: Strategic Directions for the Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community.” This strategic road map to prevent and end homelessness was created by Planning Committee to End Homelessness, in partnership with the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, government agencies, nonprofits, faith communities and businesses. For more information please visit: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/TRANSCRIPT
Four-Year Homeless Trends
June 2011
William Macmillan, Management Analyst
Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
Fairfax County, Virginia
2
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%
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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
12
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