Homelessness Decline Reported

HUD issued a press release on December 13, 2011 stating that more than 3000 communities on a single night in January of 2011 reported that 636,017 people were homeless in the United States, a 2.1 percent decline from the year before. “While the number of homeless persons vary locally, these communities are reporting modest declines in homelessness in every category or sub-population including individuals, families, veterans and those experiencing long-term or chronic homelessness.” Secretary Donovan, who personally participated in the 2011 nighttime count said, “It’s remarkable that in the wake of the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression, we’re witnessing an across-the-board drop in homelessness. This tells us that the Obama administration’s homelessness strategy is working.  The results spur us to continue working to end homelessness in America once and for all.”

One statistic really stands out: “Persons experiencing long-term or chronic homelessness declined 2.4 percent (or 2,664) from last year and 13.5 percent (or 16,635 persons) since 2007. This steep reduction in chronic homelessness is largely attributed to the sharp growth in the supply of permanent supportive housing units – more than 30,000 beds between 2010 and 2011, and by more than 83,000 since 2007.”

Those of you reaching out and meeting these supportive housing needs are to be highly commended.