Homelessness In the TJPDC

Fifth Annual Point In Time Survey: January 24-26, 2007

[ Local Trends | Selected findings| Unmet Needs | Method | Definition of Homeless ]

Local Trends

The number of people homeless and the number homeless for the first time were again growing. The most dramatic difference was in the number of people living outdoors, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings. 24 adults and no children were found to be unsheltered in 2007, compared to 14 adults and 7 children in 2005. The number sheltered was 202 adults and 22 children, for a total of 248 found. Schools, who use different reporting criteria, reported 303 children and 17 adults homeless: in shelters, doubled up, in motels, or in substandard housing. The consensus from service providers is that, while the number of people reported homeless grew because of better count and counting more shelters,  the number of homeless people has actually grown.

Selected findings:

General Characteristics

• Gender: male 74% female: 26%
• Average age: 41.43

Families

• 12% were homeless with dependent children

Length of Homelessness

• 54% had been homeless for less than a year
• 11% had been homeless for less than 1 month

Residency

• 8% of people homeless were unsheltered
• 61% were from within the TJPDC
• 39% called Charlottesville their hometown

Employment

• Employed homeless persons rose from 59% in 2006 to 61% in 2006
• 24% were unable to work because of a disability

Health

• 23% did not receive health care when they needed it in the last year
• 44% did not receive needed dental services in the past year

Circumstances

• 62% had completed high school or equivalency
• 18% were veterans
• 17% were divorced

Contributing Causes

• 43% reported being unable to find work
• 66% were unable to find affordable housing
• 9% were victims of domestic violence

What were the unmet needs?

• The number reporting difficulty accessing shelter rose from 12% in 2006 to 26% in 2007.
• The number reporting untreated dental needs rose from 31% in 2006 to 44% in 2007.
• The number unable to access substance abuse counseling rose from 6% in 2006 to 14% in 2007.
  

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Method

The data for this survey was collected January 24-26 2007 by the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH). A point prevalence count, or snapshot of data, was scheduled January 25th 2006 to coincide with a statewide effort. Current and formerly homeless individuals were the greatest source of volunteers, helping to achieve excellent response rates, increased coverage, and meaningful and candid responses.

248 people were found to be homeless on January 25th. 131 homeless adults were surveyed over the three-day period, with adults answering on behalf of dependent children. Most of these were residing in emergency or transitional facilities. Shelter staff verified the presence of another 117 people who did not complete surveys.

Census Undercount

It is difficult to get an accurate count of how many people are homeless, in part because the number is always fluctuating. Information regarding the homeless is usually gathered in urban areas, and less is known about the rural homeless. The rural homeless are more likely to be housed with extended family, and therefore not homeless by strict definition, or living in tents, vehicles, or in the woods, and therefore difficult to locate. The net result is that any census count will be an undercount of the homeless population and omit significant groups of individuals. Despite these limitations, an empirical census is still the most accurate approach to homeless enumeration.

 

Definition of Homeless

The definition of homelessness used is that of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and is based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 and its subsequent revisions. This definition includes adults and children living in places not meant for human habitation, including abandoned buildings and vehicles, and those in emergency or transitional shelters. It does not include those living in substandard housing or overcrowded conditions, or those imprisoned or detained pursuant to an Act of Congress or State law.

 

 

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Last modified Wednesday, 28-Feb-2007 15:59:58 EST

Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless

P.O. Box 1505, Charlottesville, VA 22902

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