POINT-IN-TIME SURVEY
Transcription
POINT-IN-TIME SURVEY
BELL COUNTY REPORT Sample Site in TX District 31 Report by Eric Samuels and Kraig Fiero of the Texas Homeless Network DEMOGRAPHICS The median age of respondents is 49. The gender breakdown is 76% male and 23% female Most respondents reported race as White (50%) African-Americans are over-represented in this survey (38%) as compared to the overall population 20.5% (U.S. Census Bureau) The majority of respondents are single, 14% were one and two parent families with children. Eighty-one children were identified in the survey with an median age of 5. Veterans made up 65% of the sample. 28% were Veterans of Vietnam, 14% of Kuwait (Desert Storm) and 7% of Iraq. Veterans average length of service was four years. Inside this issue: Homeless Population Estimates 2 Length of Homelessness 2 Reasons for Homelessness 3 Employment and Income 3 Treatments and Institutions 4 Housing Needs 5 POINT-IN-TIME SURVEY The Texas Homeless Network annually coordinates a Point-in-Time homeless survey during the last week in January for communities in the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care. The “known location” methodology is used with volunteers surveying everyone found at sites identified by the community where persons suffering from homelessness are known to congregate. The resulting survey sample is represented by people in homeless situations and persons who are at risk of becoming homeless. The number of survey responses does not represent the total population suffering from homelessness, so estimates are provided in this report. This information is used by local communities in the development of short and long-term strategies to alleviate homelessness. In the week of January 28, 2010 several volunteers canvassed Temple and Bell County, the only community that full participated in the survey. Despite the wintry weather, 275 surveys were completed, representing 376 people. Bell county has a total of 286,446 people with 62,613 of those living inside the city limits of Temple and 117,143 in Killeen. The median family income is $54,000. However, the overall poverty rate is 1 3 . 4 % (American community survey) and the unemployment rate was 7.6% as of January 2010 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). U n f o r t u na t e ly , some of those in poverty and un- employed suffer from homelessness in Bell County. Advocates conduct surveys to ascertain their characteristics and needs to develop better strategies for assisting people out of homelessness. A survey like this has been conducted over the past four years. Each year the sample size has increased and the quality of data has improved. Communities gain im- portant information through this initiative such as the demographic statistics listed on the left side of this page and the findings outlined throughout this report. The chart below illustrates that the majority of respondents are single (81%) but a significant percentage (14%) are heads of families with children. Members of these families make up 35% of all people reported on this survey. BELL COUNTY Page 2 HOMELESS POPULATION ESTIMATES The statistics to the right represent the overall homeless population estimates for Bell County at a point-in-time level and annually. “Pointin-Time” estimates are representative of the population on any single day during the year. The annualized estimate is larger because it contains persons who fall into and exit out of homelessness throughout the year. Some of these people enter and exit homelessness multiple times annually so one person or family may be duplicated in this estimate. THN uses a conservative homeless population estimate which is actually lower than the total accounted for in this survey. Point-in-time homeless population estimate for Bell County: 364 (Texas Homeless Network, 2010) Annualized homeless population estimate for Bell County: 615 (Texas Homeless Network, 2010) WHERE ARE THEY? WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF HOMELESSNESS? Significant findings on location and duration of homelessness: “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” Mother Teresa 18% of respondents were living in Temple and 19% in Killeen when they became homeless. The remaining 63% lived in another Texas city or outside the state. 25% of respondents stayed in an Emergency Shelter. 55% meet the HUD definition of homelessness¹, all respondents meet the definition used by Texas school districts. The median length of homelessness reported by respondents is 12 months. For 50% of respondents, this is the first time they’ve experienced homelessness in the past three years. However, 16% reported being homeless 2-3 times in the past three years and during that same time period 5% reported being homeless at least four separate times. 29% reported being con- tinuously homelessness for a year or longer. 38% reported experiencing another, separate homeless episode within the past 12 months. ¹ §11302. General definition of homeless individual: (a) In general For purposes of this chapter, the term "homeless" or "homeless individual or homeless person" includes- 1. an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and 2. an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is – A. a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); B. an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or C. a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. 2010 Report WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR BECOMING AND REMAINING HOMELESS? Respondents were asked to identify the factors contributing to homelessness: The most identified reasons for becoming homeless are (see chart): 24% Unemployment 21% Unable to pay rent/ mortgage 14% Physical/Mental Illness 12% Addiction 8% Divorce The most common factors cited for remaining homeless were Unemployment and Inability to pay rent/mortgage. EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME A set of questions were designed to elicit information about employment and income from respondents: 88% of all Bell County residents’ graduate high school and 85% of respondents report attaining a high school diploma or higher degree in this sample. 15% did not graduate high school and 6% of those did not pass 8th grade. 65% of respondents indicated that they were able to work and 31% are working (16% full time). Those that work average 31 hours per week and their median monthly income was $900. However, 69% are unemployed and the median length of unemployment is nineteen months. When asked why they were unemployed the three most frequently cited reasons were “No Transportation” (14%), “Mental Health problem” and “Permanent physical disability” (15%). When asked where they get income the top three responses in order were: Unemployment Benefits, Employer Wages, and SSDI/SSI. Page 3 BELL COUNTY Page 4 Treatment received, institutional history and services Respondents provided information on treatment received, history in institutions and their service needs: When asked what they are receiving treatment for, the most frequent responses were: 27% Mental Illness 21% Drug Abuse 21% Alcohol Abuse 17% Other physical condition 13% Have not or do not receive treatment 2% HIV/AIDS related illness 40% reported having “We have come dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem that we just can`t solve.” Aloha Kishinami been in Foster Care and 45% in Drug/Alcohol Abuse Treatment, the most common responses to the ques- tion about institutional history. Prior to entering insti- tutions, 61% of respondents were homeless while only 32% of those reported having shelter upon institutional discharge. 65% of respondents had health insurance and 87% were able to get medical care when needed. When asked where they received treatment the most common source was VA Benefits. 74% needed dental care but only 44% received it. 57% of respondents needed Mental Health Care and 74% of those stated that they received it. When asked what supportive services respondents needed the top seven responses were: 1. Job Training and Placement 2. Transportation Assistance 3. Clothing and/or Food 4. Food Stamps 5. Veterans Benefits 6. Case Management 7. Life Skills Training (See chart below for all results to this question) 2010 Report HOUSING NEEDS Respondents were asked what type of housing they needed most: In 2010, 46% reported needing Affordable housing followed by Transitional Housing (34%) and Emergency Shelter (19%) Annual Events Point in Time Homeless Survey and Count – Last week in January as part of a Statewide effort. Special thanks to our Coalition Members Bell County HELP Center, Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter, BISD Project Heartbeat, Salvation Army, Family Promise, CTCOG Housing Division, Veteran’s Affairs, City of Killeen, City of Temple, United Way of Central Texas, Central Texas Youth Services, Central Texas Homeless Alliance, Altrusa International, Central Texas Housing Consortium, HOT Angels Campfire, Dove Project, Jail Ministries, Families in Crisis, Habitat for Humanity, 4C Headstart, Angels Alliance, Cedar Crest, Belton ISD, Cove House, MHMR, NAMI, Rose Garden, The Refuge Corporation, Killeen ISD. And a very huge Thank You to all of the members of the community who are working diligently to support our cause. The Central Texas Homeless Alliance meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month at 12 noon. It will be held at the Helping Hands Community Clinic which is located at 2210 Holland Road Page 5 TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK 1713 Fortview Road Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-482-8270 Fax: 512-478-9077 E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected] Helping those who help the homeless www.THN.org