REGISTRY WEEK RESULTS
Katie Kitchin and Chere Bradshaw
Oct. 8, 2012
The Memphis Team and Approach• A strategy of the Mayors’ Action Plan to End Homelessness• More than 90 volunteers surveyed unsheltered individuals Oct. 3-5• Teams met at 4:45 each morning, covered all of Shelby County;
interviewed those sleeping outside. • Focus for the Good photographed the project.
Summary Findings
• 259 unsheltered individuals completed the survey.
• 135 determined “vulnerable” = statistically at high risk of mortality due to medical, mental health, and substance abuse
Self-reported conditions
• 29% were tri-morbid (chronic medical issues + MH and SA)
• 130 reported serious medical concerns
• 140 reported mental health disorders (though prevalence rate is much higher)
• 197 reported substance abuse issues
Homeless Histories
• Average length of time homeless = 9 years vulnerable, 5 years not vulnerable
• Average age = 49• Very few reported regular
shelter stays, 80% slept mostly outside year-round.
• 84% met chronic homelessness criteria = disability, continuous homelessness
• 102 reported having been subject of a violent attack while homeless.
Health-Related Data
• 55 had more than 3 ER visits in the past 3 months
• 130 had a serious health condition
• 356 hospitalizations in the past year
• 442 ER visits in past 90 days.
• 71% had no health insurance.
• 15% had Medicaid
Veterans Data
• 41 Veterans surveyed• 25 vulnerable vets with average length of homelessness = 12 yrs.
• 14 Viet Nam era, 12 more recent
• 10 with heart problems, 6 with cancer, 8 HepC, 5 TB
Estimated Impact
• National studies show conservative estimate = $30,000/person/year in safety net expenses.
• 218 chronically homeless individuals likely cost $6.5M/year
Next Steps
• Second-level assessments/priority list established
• Securing housing: 55 units secured; 40 in the pipeline.
• Support services to begin simultaneously
• Intensive, home-based services will be provided 1:15 ratio