By Kate Budd, Executive Director of the Council for the Homeless
The A, B, C’s of the 2019 Data
“If we have data, let’s look at data. If we all have opinions let’s go with mine.” Jim Barksdale
Collecting and analyzing data is an integral piece of any effective initiative, including reducing homelessness. Opinions and rhetoric, while helpful in giving context to data, are limiting when determining if progress is actually being made toward outcomes. Data helps everyone working toward desired outcomes understand what is happening as a result of the efforts and to make informed decisions. Data allows funders to measure if their investment is leading to the desired result. In the case of homelessness, what gets measured, can be reduced.
Using data to understand the number of households (including, families, couples and single individuals) who are experiencing homelessness in Clark County and how well we are addressing the need both in general and by program is very important. It is a required and core component of any homeless crisis response system funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and WA Department of Commerce.
The Council for the Homeless 2019 data sheets encompass information from the Homeless Management Information System or HMIS for the full year. This data is arguably more accurate and complete than the one-night Point in Time Count (held annually in January) because it encompasses a much broader span of time and array of information. Over 20 local agencies and 130 staff/volunteers from the full continuum of programs (meal programs, day centers, outreach programs, emergency shelters, housing programs, etc.) enter demographic and outcome based information into HMIS.
As you review this information, please remember the people who this data represents and the importance of using it to make positive change. “Hiding within those mounds of data is knowledge that could change the life of a person, or change the world.” – Atul Butte
The A, B, C’s of what the 2019 Clark County data shows:
Number of People:
Homelessness is Increasing: 13 percent more households are experiencing homelessness in 2019, than 2018 (3,509 in 2019 and 3,106 in 2018). This includes a greater number of families with children, veteran households and seniors (age 55+).
The Majority of People who are Homeless Were our Housed Neighbors: When asked, “what was the zip code of your last permanent home,” nearly 77 percent of people responded with a Clark County zip code. Almost 68 percent of people responded with a City of Vancouver zip code. Both percentages went down by two points, from 2018. This means a few more people are coming from outside the area, however the vast majority of people experiencing homeless are from Clark County.
Housing:
More Households were Permanently Housed in 2019: Throughout 2019, 388 households were placed into 35 different local Rapid Re-housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs. This is 56 percent more households than were placed into housing programs in 2018 (248 households).
More Evidence-Based Best Practice Programs Are Needed to Move People into Permanent Housing:The number of households supported through local evidence-based best practice housing programs represented only 15 percent of the overall need for housing programs. Rapid Re-housing and Permanent Supportive Housing Program work well to end homelessness for households. A significant increase in these types of programs are needed to move families and individuals from the streets, out of shelters and out of homelessness.
Diversion is Helping: The number of households (374) receiving diversion assistance increased by nearly 50 percent for the second year. There are many households experiencing homelessness that have income to sustain housing, but barriers that make it very difficult to move into a new unit. Privately funded homelessness Diversion through Council for the Homeless assists households with finding a landlord who will rent to them and potentially covering move-in costs. Over 94% of households who move into a new home through Council for the Homeless Diversion have not returned to homelessness.
Risk Factors:
Seniors are Greatly At-risk of Homelessness: The number of seniors, age 55 and up, experiencing homelessness increased by 45 percent in 2019 (881 and 606 in 2018). People on fixed incomes do not have the earning potential to keep up with one-bedroom rental prices that have increased by over $450 in the last five years based on Fair Market Rent (HUD FMR). When seniors have no or a limited support system and/or disabilities, the likelihood of falling from housed into homelessness become much higher.
Households are Falling into Homelessness for the First Time at a High Rate: Two-thirds of those experiencing homelessness in Clark County are newly homeless. This means no one in the household interacted even once with the system of providers during the two years prior to 2019. When over 3,000 individuals were asked to identify the primary reason they are experiencing homelessness, nearly a quarter self-disclosed they, “cannot afford housing.”
Racial Minorities are More Likely to Experience Homelessness: In Clark County, 1.3 percent of the general population has a likelihood of experiencing homelessness. However, if these data is sorted by race people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Multiracial and Latinx have a higher, sometimes much higher, likelihood of experiencing homelessness. This disproportionality demands service providers become more culturally aware and humble while building mutually positive relationships with culturally specific agencies. In addition, progressing equity, inclusion and diversity across systems, funders, institutions and businesses in Clark County is needed in order to begin to address the systemic injustices non-dominant populations continue to face that make homelessness and poverty more likely.
Action is Needed: Reducing homelessness takes everyone in the community focusing on this goal and working together. We are grateful for partners, grant makers, private donors and community members who work with us to invest in best practices that reduce homelessness. Volunteering with a local agency, mentoring a child in the schools, providing basic need items to people living on the street or serving with a food program. Giving to an agency, employing or renting to someone who is without a home, advocating for additional resources that are integrated with the local homeless programs. There are many opportunities to help support people in need. Most importantly please be kind to people experiencing homelessness.