|
National Alliance to End Homelessness:
There were 744,313 people homeless in January 2005 according to Homelessness Counts, the first national assessment of the number of homeless people in over a decade. The report was released by the Homelessness Research Institute of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
This estimate, a compilation of point-in-time counts collected by local Continuums of Care, provides data on every state and community in the country. The data included in the study represent a point in time; therefore the estimate only presents a snapshot of the homelessness problem in the Unites States. Many more people experience homelessness over the course of the year.
Many more people experience homelessness over the course of the year.
Despite its limitations, this estimate establishes a baseline for the nation to assess not only whether the number of homeless people is actually increasing or decreasing -- something we have had had little objective data on to date -- but also for communities to analyze their progress, uncover trends, and to formulate solutions that address the needs of homeless people.
Increasing the availability of affordable housing to very low income people will prevent homelessness and will empty our nation's shelters."
56 percent of homeless people counted were living in shelters and transitional housing and, shockingly, 44 percent were unsheltered.
In total, 98,452 homeless families were counted.
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, joined the National Alliance to End Homelessness in releasing the report.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, mission-driven organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.
The Alliance analyzes policy and develops pragmatic, cost-effective policy solutions.
Posted on January 11, 2007 08:05 PM
|
