Making Sense of the Homeless Count
by Georgia Berland
At least 360 children were sleeping on the streets, in vehicles, encampments, agricultural or industrial buildings, outside, or were wandering with their families not knowing where they would sleep on January 26, the night of the 2005 Sonoma County Homeless Count. 239 were11 years old or younger. 121 were 12 to 18. Another 190 children were in shelters, transitional housing, or spending the night in a hotel or motel paid by a service agency. 104 children and their parents were staying with friends, family or co-workers on Count night. 15 homeless young people 18 or under were trying to make it on their own all but one unsheltered. Children whose families paid for a hotel or motel, even for a night or two, were not counted.
2232 homeless people were counted on January 26/27. 1737 fit Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) specifications for this Count. They were sheltered or in a place not meant for human habitation on the night of the count. The remainder had found a temporary place with friends, family or co-workers, or were clients of mental health, substance abuse, or child welfare agencies and known to be homeless, but not seen personally on Count day. Homelessness in Sonoma County: The 2005 Point-In-Time Count is online at the Task Force web site, www.sonomacountyhomeless.org. Reports for the 18 cities and towns where homeless people were found are being added during Affordable Housing Week May 14-22. Once complete, the report will be printed.
By no means do these numbers represent all the people living without homes just the people counted within the 24 hours allowed for this HUD-required point-in-time Count. Our Count missed many of the working homeless, others who were distrustful, fearful, or too incapacitated to participate, plus those in areas we just couldn't reach within the short Count period. Anyone temporarily in a motel or hotel for which they paid was not counted. Those surveyed however, sketch a portrait of those of us surviving without homes.
It is difficult to say whether these numbers indicate an increase, since the last enumeration in 2001 was done over a week, while this was only a 24-hour point in time. The Continuum of Care is developing an estimate of the larger number who might be homeless in our county over a year. One Count surprise was that almost 60% had been homeless for more than a year. Disabilities were common, with 31% having been treated for mental illness, 33% for physical or medical disabilities, and 41% for chronic alcohol or drug abuse. 15% to 18% had more than one disability. It is telling that only 44% of the overall homeless were sheltered. 20% were temporarily with friends, family, or co-workers. 36% were unsheltered.
Homeless children have no choice regarding their circumstances, nor do most disabled homeless people, given their limited incomes. The same could be said of working people who can't afford a home. The housing stock affordable to people making low incomes is simply not adequate, and costs impossible for many to cover.
What does this bode for our community and economy? How can we address this crisis? The Task Force invites you to work with us through our monthly General Meetings focusing on strategies to end chronic homelessness, and through the work of the Continuum of Care and it's committees, to discuss these issues and develop the multiple approaches needed to answer these crucial questions.
The Homeless Count was a monumental community effort. Over 400 volunteers through churches and community groups all over the county, coordinated by the Task Force, reached out to homeless people in nearly every community - serving meals, distributing thank you gifts, offering a shower, services, and a welcoming hand -- making personal contact with a variety of homeless people willing to share their personal information.
Count data will not only preserve funding from HUD, but support proposals and planning for services and housing for two years, until the next Count. Perhaps the most lasting and powerful outcome may arise from the personal contact and connections made between housed and un-housed people in our community. Volunteers who had not been previously involved were moved to seek solutions, and those who had already been active were better connected and coordinated. Knowing who is homeless in Sonoma County is painful. For all of us working to end homelessness, it is a strong impetus to renew our energy and commitment.