THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS
HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS SURVEYA Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s CitiesA 38-City Survey / December 2016
The United States Conference of Mayors
THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS
THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS
Mick CornettMayor of Oklahoma CityPresident
Mitchell J. LandrieuMayor of New OrleansVice President
Stephen K. BenjaminMayor of ColumbiaSecond Vice President
Helene SchneiderMayor of Santa BarbaraCo-chair, Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness
Tom CochranCEO and Executive Director
The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,393 such cities in the country today, each represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor.
This is the first year the U.S Conference of Mayors is working with the National Alliance to End Homelessness on the Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a leading voice on the issue of homelessness. To accomplish its mission of ending homelessness, the Alliance uses data and research to identify the nature of, and solutions to, the problem. It analyzes policy, to determine how best to advance these solutions. And, it helps build the capacity of communities to implement strategies that help them end homelessness.
The Homelessness Research Institute (HRI), the research and education arm of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, works to end homelessness by building and disseminating knowledge. The goals of HRI are to build the intellectual capital around solutions to homelessness; to advance data and research to ensure that policymakers, practitioners, and the caring public have the best information about trends in homelessness and emerging solutions; and to engage the media to promote the proliferation of solid data and information on homelessness.
Authors: This report was prepared by the U.S. Conference of Mayors by Assistant Executive Director Eugene T. Lowe with the assistance of Aminatou Poubelle, Gail Thomas and by the National Alliance to End Homelessness by Samantha Batko and Jordan Layton.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 4
HUNGER IN U.S. CITIES .............................................................................................. 5
HOMELESSNESS IN U.S. CITIES .............................................................................. 13
Appendix A: Methodology ......................................................................................... 40
Appendix B: City Data On Hunger ............................................................................. 42
APPENDIX C: Cities Cited in the Survey .................................................................. 47
Appendix D: Survey Instrument ................................................................................ 49
Appendix E: Hunger and Homelessness Contacts by City ..................................... 53
Appendix F: List of Past Reports .............................................................................. 57
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EXECUTIVESUMMARYTheU.SConferenceofMayors’ReportonHomelessnessandHungerservesasameasureofthehousingandfoodneedsofthemostvulnerablecitizensinU.S.cities.ItisintendedtoserveasareferenceforpolicymakersandjournalistsontheextentofandsolutionstohungerandhomelessnessinU.S.cities.Reportcontents:
ThisreportpresentsthenumberandcharacteristicsofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessandhungerincitiesacrosstheUnitedStates,trendsinhomelessnessandhungerovertime,andinformationonthecityresponsestobothsocialissues.DatareportedtotheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandsurveyresultsfrommayorswhoserveontheU.S.ConferenceofMayors’TaskForceonHungerandHomelessnessareusedinthisreport.MoreinformationonthemethodologiesusedforthisreportcanbefoundinAppendixA.ReportHighlights:
Hunger• Forty-onepercentofsurveycitiesreportedthatthenumberofrequestsforemergencyfoodassistance
increasedoverthepastyear.Acrossthesurveycities,emergencyfoodassistanceincreasedbyanaverageof2percent.
• Amongthoserequestingemergencyfoodassistance,63percentwerepersonsinfamilies,51percentwereemployed,18percentwereelderly,and8percentwerehomeless.
• Lowwagesledthelistofcausesofhungercitedbysurveycities;,followedbyhighhousingcostsandpoverty.
• Cityofficialssaidthatmoremoreaffordablehousing,morejobsandincreaseinSNAPbenefitsareactionsthatshouldbetakentoreducehunger.Employmenttrainingprograms,betterpayingjobs,affordablechildcare,higherwagesareotherimportantactionstotaketoreducehunger.
• Thecitiesreporteda5percentaverageincreaseinthenumberofpoundsoffooddistributedduringthelastyear.
• Acrosstherespondingcities,theaverageincreaseinthebudgetforemergencyfoodpurchaseswas8percent.
• Acrossthesurveycities,13.8percentofthedemandforemergencyfoodassistanceisestimatedtohavebeenunmet.
• Inforty-sevenpercentofsurveycities,theemergencykitchensandfoodpantrieshadtoreducethequantityoffoodpersonscouldreceiveateachfoodpantryvisitortheamountoffoodofferedpermealatemergencykitchens.Intwenty-ninepercentofthecities,theyhadtoreducethenumberoftimesapersonorfamilycouldvisitafoodpantryeachmonth.Also,becauseoflackofresourcesinforty-sevenpercentofthecities,facilitieshadtoturnpeopleaway.
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HomelessnessOnasinglenightinJanuary2016,544,084peopleexperiencedhomelessnessintheUnitedStates.1InthesampleofU.S.cities2examinedforthisreport,171,520peopleexperiencedhomelessnessrepresenting31.5percentofallpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessinthenation.
• Therateofhomelessnessinstudycitieswas51peopleexperiencinghomelessnessper10,000peopleinthegeneralpublic.Thisishigherthanthenationalrateofhomelessnessof17peopleper10,000.
• Themajority(75percent)ofstudycitieshadratesofhomelessnesshigherthanthenationalrateofhomelessness.Ratesofhomelessnessincitiesstudiedrangedfrom11peopleinWichita,KSto124peopleinWashington,D.C.
• Forthemostpart,homelessnessintheU.S.overalllooksrelativelysimilartohomelessnessinthestudycities,buttherewasgreatvariationamongstandbetweencities.
• Thepercentofpeoplewhoareunshelteredinthestudycities(24.7percent)islowerthanintheU.S.overall(31.6percent).Onlynineofthestudycitieshadratesofunshelteredhomelessnesshigherthanthenationalaverage,butthesecitiesaloneaccountforapproximatelyoneofeveryfivepeopleexperiencingunshelteredhomelessnessinthecountry.
• Nationally,homelessnesshasbeendecliningforseveralyears—a12.9percentdecreasefrom2009to2016,includinga2.6percentdecreasefrom2015to2016.Two-thirds(65percent)ofstudycitiesfollowedthelong-termtrend,reportingdecreasesfrom2009to2016,andtwo-thirds(62percent)alsoreporteddecreasesfrom2015to2016.
• Forthemostpart,trendsinhomelessnessinthestudycitiesfollowedtrendsseennationally,withsomenotableexceptions,particularlyintrendsinunsheltered,individual,andchronichomelessnesswhereincreasesinstudycitieseithercontradictnationaltrendsoraredrivingincreasesnationally.
HomelessAssistance
Communities,regardlessofbeinganurban,suburban,orrurallocality,respondtohomelessnesswithavarietyofhousingandserviceprograms,includingemergencyshelters,rapidre-housing,permanentsupportivehousing,andtransitionalhousing.Ashiftinhomelessnesstowardpermanenthousingsolutions—namelyrapidre-housingandpermanentsupportivehousing—hasbeenseensince2013.Citieshavemainlyfollowedthistrend:
• Thepermanenthousingsolutionstohomelessness—permanentsupportivehousingandrapidre-housingcombined—serveasthelargestcomponentofboththenation’sandstudycities’responsestohomelessness.
• Permanentsupportivehousingiscurrentlythebedtypeinwhichthehomelessassistancesystemnationallyandinstudycitieshasthemostcapacity.
• Followingnationaltrendsfrom2009to2016,permanentsupportivehousingcapacitygrewandtransitionalhousingcapacitydecreasedsignificantlybothintheU.S.andinstudycities.
• Rapidre-housingcapacitymorethantripledinthestudycitiesbetween2013and2016.• Instudycities,evenifeveryemergencyshelterbedandtransitionalhousingbedweretobefilled,over34,000
peoplewouldstillbeunshelteredonagivennight.• Nearlyallsurveyedcityofficialsidentifiedtheneedformoremainstreamhousingassistanceandmore
affordablehousingasthemostneededandcurrentlyinsufficientlyresourcedtooltoreducehomelessness.• Surveyedcitiesidentifiedavarietyofexemplaryprogramsintendedtoimprovetheefficiencyofhomeless
assistancesystems;endchronic,veteran,youth,andunshelteredhomelessness;andconnectindividualsandfamiliesexperiencinghomelessnesstohousingandservices.
1Nationalestimatesofhomelessnessinthisreportincludethe50statesandtheDistrictofColumbia,butdoesnotincludedatafromGuam,PuertoRico,ortheVirginIslands.2Atotalof32citiesin24stateswereincludedfortheanalysisofhomelessnessinU.S.cities.ThesecitiesarenotrepresentativeofallU.S.cities,butdohavegreatdiversityingeographyandpopulationsize.Formoreinformationonthecitiesincludedinthesampleandhowtheywerechosen,refertoAppendixA.
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INTRODUCTIONBackgroundHistoryofThisReportSinceOctober1982,theU.S.ConferenceofMayorsandTheU.S.ConferenceofCityHumanServicesOfficialsfirstbroughttheshortageofemergencyservices–food,shelter,medicalcare,incomeassistance,andenergyassistance–tonationalattentionthroughasurveyofcitiesofallsizesacrossallregionsofthecountry,theConferenceofMayorshascontinuedtoreporteachyearontheproblemsofhungerandhomelessnessinAmerica'sCities.Thatfirstgroundbreakingreportdescribedincreasingdemandforemergencyservicesincitiesandthecities'inabilitytomeetevenhalfofthatdemand.Eachsucceedingreporthasupdatedthenationontheseverityoftheproblemsandtheadequacyoftheresourcesavailabletorespondtothem.
InSeptember1983,tospearheadtheConferenceofMayors’effortstorespondtotheemergencyservicescrisis,thePresidentoftheConferenceofMayorsappointed20mayorstoaTaskForceonHungerandHomelessness.ThefirstTaskForcechairedbyNewOrleansMayorErnest"Dutch"Morial,assembledagroupofcitiesthatwouldbethefocusofthesurveystobeconductedinfutureyears.Thisgroupwouldconstitutethecoreofthecitiesthatwouldprovideinformationeachyearonthemagnitudeandcausesoftheseproblems,thelocalresponsestothem,andthenationalresponsesthatcityleadersbelievedwereneededfortheproblemstobeadequatelyaddressed.
Currently,theTaskForceischairedbySantaBarbaraMayorHeleneSchneider.
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HUNGERINU.S.CITIESThissectionprovidesinformationonpersonsreceivingemergencyfoodassistanceandtheavailabilityofthatassistanceamongtheTaskForcesurveycitiesbetweenSeptember1,2015andAugust31,2016.Itincludesbriefdescriptionsofexemplaryprogramsoreffortsunderwayinthecitieswhichpreventorrespondtotheproblemsofhunger.
NeedforFoodAssistanceForty-onepercentofsurveyedcitiesreportedthatthenumberofrequestsforemergencyfoodassistanceincreasedoverthepastyearAcrossthecities,theoverallnumberofrequestsforfoodassistanceincreasedbyanaverageof2percent.Therateofincreaserangedfrom15percentinDesMoinesand10percentinProvidence,7percentinSaintPaul,6percentinCharleston,3percentinSanFranciscoandSantaBarbaraand2percentinPhiladelphia.Theratedecreasedrangedfrom9percentinLosAngeles,7percentinNorfolk,and6percentinSanAntonio.ItremainedthesameinChicago,Cleveland,Dallas,Nashville,SaltLakeCityandSeattle.
Amongthoserequestingemergencyfoodassistance,63percentwerepersonsinfamilies,51percentwereemployed,18percentwereelderly,and8percentwerehomeless.(Thesecategoriesarenotmutuallyexclusiveandthesamepersoncanbeincludedinmorethanone.)
Seventy-onepercentofthecitiesreportedanincreaseinthenumberofpeoplerequestingfoodassistanceforthefirsttime.Amongthese,92percentcharacterizedtheincreaseinfirst-timerequestsasmoderate;8percentcharacterizeditassubstantial.
Increasedrequestsforfoodassistancewereaccompaniedbymorefrequentvisitstofoodpantriesandemergencykitchens.Forty-onepercentreportedanincreaseinthefrequencyofvisitstofoodpantriesand/oremergencykitchenseachmonth.Amongthese,86percentcharacterizedtheincreaseinfrequencyasmoderate;14percentsaiditwassubstantial.
Whenaskedtoidentifythethreemaincausesofhungerintheircities,88percentnamedlowwages;also59percentsaidhighhousingcostsandpoverty.Forty-onepercentcitedunemploymentand23citedmedicalorhealthcosts.
AvailabilityofFoodAssistanceThesurveycitiesreporteda5percentaverageincreaseinthenumberofpoundsoffooddistributed.Ninety-fourpercentsawanincreaseinthenumberofpoundsoffooddistributed,andonlyonecityreportedthatthenumberofpoundsdecreased.Fifty-ninepercentofthecitiesreportedthattheirtotalbudgetforemergencyfoodpurchasesincreasedoverthelastyear;11percentsaiditdecreased;and18percentsaiditremainedthesame.Acrosstherespondingcities,theaverageincreaseinthebudgetforemergencyfoodpurchaseswas8percent.
Donationsfromgrocerychainsandotherfoodsuppliersaccountedforthelargestportion(53percent)ofthefooddistributed.Thissourcewasfollowedbypurchasedfood,whichaccountedfor18percentofthefooddistributed;federalemergencyfoodassistanceanddonationsfromotherseachaccountedfor17percent;anddonationsfromindividuals,whichaccountedforfivepercent.
Forty-onepercentofthecitiesreportedthattheyhadmadeatleastsomesignificantchangesinthetypeoffoodpurchased.Thosechangesgenerallyinvolvedthepurchaseoffresher,healthierfoods,morenutritiousfoods,
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particularlyfreshproduceandfoodshighinproteinandlowinsodiumandsugar.
UnmetNeedforEmergencyFoodAssistance
Inforty-sevenpercentofsurveycities,theemergencykitchensandfoodpantrieshadtoreducethequantityoffoodpersonscouldreceiveateachfoodpantryvisitortheamountoffoodofferedpermealatemergencykitchens.Intwenty-ninepercentofthecities,theyhadtoreducethenumberoftimesapersonorfamilycouldvisitafoodpantryeachmonth.Also,becauseoflackofresources,inforty-sevenpercentofthecities,facilitieshadtoturnpeopleaway.Fiveofthesurveycitieswereabletoestimatetheoveralldemandforfoodassistancethatwentunmetduringthepastyear;theyreportedthatanaverageof13.8percentoftheneedwentunmet.City PercentUnmetNeed
Cleveland 13
DesMoines 22
DistrictofColumbia 24
LosAngeles 5
Philadelphia 5
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EXEMPLARYPROGRAMSTHATRESPONDTOHUNGERBackPackProgramsCharleston:In2015,theLowcountryFoodBank(LFCB)inpartnershipwiththeCharlestonCountySchoolDistrict’sOfficeofServicesforDisplacedFamiliesidentifiedthatthemajorityofchildrenexperiencinghomelessnesswerenotbeingservedbytheLCFB’schildfeedingprogramsincludingBackPackBuddies.Since2006,theBackPackBuddiesprogramhashelpedtoalleviateweekendhungeramongfood-insecurepublicschoolchildrenbydistributingbackpacksfullofnutritiousandkid-friendlyfoodeachFridayduringtheschoolyear(38weekstotal).FormanypublicschoolchildrenintheCityofCharleston,thefoodtheyreceivethroughtheNationalSchoolLunchProgramisthemost,ifnotallofthenutritiousfoodtheyhavetoeat.Theconsequencesassociatedwithfoodinsecurityandpoornutritionespeciallyforchildrenaregreatandenduring.Withoutaccesstonutritiousfood,childrenfaceriskfactorsforobesity,cardiovasculardisease,strokeandtype2diabetesearlyinlife.Studieshavealsoshownthatfoodinsecuritynegativelyaffectschildren’scognitivedevelopment,overallhealth,andbehaviorwhichimpedetheirsuccessinschoolandultimatelylife.TheBackPackBuddiesprogramisasignificantfirststepinimprovingtheseshort-andlong-termoutcomes.TheBackPackBuddiesprogramisidealforchildrenexperiencinghomelessnessbecausethekid-friendlyfoodsthatareprovidedcanbeeatenwithoutpreparation.Beforethe2015-2016schoolyear,childrenexperiencinghomelessnesswereavulnerablepopulationofchildrenthattheLCFBwasnotabletoserveandduringthepilotyearoftheprogramthechildrenreceivedmorethan20,000poundsofnutritiousfood.TheBackpackBuddiesprogramcanbeeatenwithoutanypreparation.
InnovativePartnership-SchoolBasedStrategiesChicago:Innovativepartnershipswithcityandcountygovernmenthavebeenidentifiedamongsomeofthebestsolutionstosustainabilityandcosteffectivelyreducehunger.Mostoftheminvolvereachingthemostvulnerablepopulationsbydistributingfoodinnon-traditionallocations.Belowareseveralexamples:
SchoolBasedFoodPantries–Tokeepkidsfocusedonhomeworkandnotonhunger,ChicagoPublicSchoolsandCityCollegespartneredwiththeGreaterChicagoFoodDepositoryin2010tolaunchHealthyKidsMarkets,market-Stylefooddistributionslocatedinsideofschools.Thesemarketsprovidenutritiousfoodtostudentsandtheirfamilieswhomaynotbeabletovisitatraditionalfoodpantryduetoworkhoursorlocation.By2014,theprogramwassosuccessful,thedecisionwasmadetoreplaceexisting“backpack”programswithmoremarkets.Significantlyincreasingaccesstofreshproduceina“clientchoice”format.Infiscalyear2015-2016,27HealthyMarketsdistributedmorethan1.6millionpoundsofquality,nutritiousfoodtomorethan66,400.
ChicagoPublicLibraries,ParksandHousingSites–Duringsummermonths,manychildrenloseaccesstothefreeandreduced-pricenutritiousmealstheyreceiveduringtheschoolyear.WepartnerwithselectChicagoPublicSchoolslibrariesandhousinglocationstooffernutritiousmealsoverthesummerwhileprovidingenrichmentprogramming.
EnrollingStudents&FamiliesinFood&HealthBenefits–ThroughtheOfficeofStudentHealth&Wellness.TheChicagoPublicSchools(CPS)Hashelpedexpandaccesstohealth,nutrition,incomesupportsandothertoolthathelpliftfamiliesoutofpoverty.OneoftheinstrumentalactionsCPhastakenistoconnectfamiliestotheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)andmedicalbenefits.Duringthe2016-2017school-year,TheChicagoPublicSchoolsandtheGreaterChicagoFoodDepository(GCFD)Willenterintoacollaborationcontract.GCFD’sbenefitsoutreachstaffwillScreenCPSfamiliesforprogrameligibilityandassistincompletingtheSNAPandmedicalapplications.TheOfficeofStudentHealth&Wellnesswillcoordinatethemarketingandstrategiccommunicationofthebenefitsopportunitiestoparents.ThispartnershipwillenabletheCPSteamtofocusonbroaderstrategicstudent
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healthinitiativeswhileenablingGCFDtobringtheefficiencyandtechnicalsupport.HealthCenterBasedPop-UpPantries–TheGreaterChicagoFoodDepositorypartneredwiththeCookCountyBoardandanetworkofcommunitystakeholderstolaunchtheCookCountyFoodAccessTaskForce,taskedwithcarryingout3collaborativeinterventions;1.ExpandingfoodinsecurityscreeningatfreshproduceaccesspointsatCookCountyHealth&Hospitalsystemslocations;2.Increasingstudentaccessandparticipationinschoolbreakfastandsummermealsprograms;and3.IncreasingtheuseofSNAP(foodstamp)benefitsatfamersmarketsandfarmstands.SeniorPopulationFoodProgramsCleveland:OneoftheemergingissuesfacingtheGreaterClevelandareaisthegrowthintheseniorpopulation,alsoknownasthesilvertsunami.AccordingtoresearchersatMiamiUniversity,theseniorpopulationisexpectedtogrowsignificantlyinCuyahogaCounty,swellingfrom21%in2010to31%in2030.Withthisincreaseinpopulations,wehavealsoseenanincreaseinthenumberofseniorsaccessingemergencyfoodAssistancefromhotmealandpantryprograms.In201520%ofpeoplevisitingfoodPantryandhotmealprogramswereseniors(60andolder),comparedto24%in2016.Inresponsetothisincrease,theGreaterClevelandFoodBankhasdevelopedanewprogram,theSeniorMarketProgram,designedspecificallyforseniorsatriskofhunger.TheSeniorMarketProgrambringsatruckfulloffoodtoorganizationswhereseniorsresideorarebeingservedandthefoodisdistributedtothoseseniorsandothersinthecommunity.Clientscanpickupfoodastheywouldfromaregularpantry.SeniorMarketsareregularlyscheduledincoordinationwiththeorganization’sstaffandvolunteers,usuallyonamonthlybasis.Thesedistributionsoftenincludehealthandwellnessactivities,fooddemonstrationsandnutritioneducation,alongwiththefreshnutritiousfood–includingfreshproduce,yogurt,bread,andotherhealthyfooditems.In2016wepilotedthisprogramatoneseniorlivingcommunityandserved320newseniors.
Providence:Thisyear,RhodeIslandimplementedthefederalCommoditySupplementalFoodProgramforlow-incomesenioradults.TheprogramhasseveraldistributionsitesinProvidence.Asurveyofseniorsfoundthatfoodinsecuritydecreasedaftertheyenrolledintheprogram.MobileFoodProgramsDesMoines:SummaryprovidedbyDesMoinesAreaReligiousCouncil(DMARC)InJuly2016DMARCunveileditsfirstMobileFoodPantry.ThisinnovativeeffortwasmadepossiblebythePolkCountyBoardofSupervisorsandthePartnershipforaHunger-freePolkCounty.Inaddition,twoindividualbequestsprovidedinitialseedmonies.ThegoaloftheMobilePantryistoreachthosefoodinsecureresidentsthatmightnototherwisehaveaccesstofoodthroughtraditionalmethodse.g.“brickandmortar”pantry.FivetosixofeverytenvisitorstotheMobilePantryarenewtoournetworkandthusourgoalisbeingachieved.Thattellsusthatthehungerproblemisnotgoingaway.Insteadwe’rediscoveringindividualswhohaveunmetneed.AsofthedateofcompletingthissurveytheMobilePantryvisits7differentlocationswithaninitialgoalofvisingalocationeachmorningandafternoonMondaythroughFriday.Planstoexpandintoeveningandweekendhoursiscontingentuponresourcingadditionalstaffandfoodproducts.WewillcontinuetoevaluatetheresultsfromtheeffortsbehindtheMobilePantryinordertobetterserveourcommunity.
SaltLakeCity:UtahFoodBank’sMobileSchoolPantryprogramprovidesmonthlyfoodpantryservicestostudentsandtheirfamiliesattheirlocalschool.Initsfirstyear(FY2016)itprovidedfoodassistanceto3,000householdseachmonththroughouttheschoolyearat33high-needschools.InFY2017,weexpecttoreach5,000householdseachmonth(duplicated)at50high-needschools.Thisprogramhasproventobetremendouslyeffectivebecauseitismorecost-efficientthanotherchildhoodhungerprograms.Byservingallmembersofthefamily,itrecognizesthatevenifachildhasenoughfood,iftheirfamilyisgoingwithout,theyarestillbeingnegativelyimpactedbyhunger.Byprovidingfoodatalocationfrequentedbythefamily,italsoaddressessomeofthemajorbarrierstoaccessingfoodassistance:thevery
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narrowwindowoftimemanyfoodpantriesareopen,lackoftransportation,lackofknowledgeaboutavailableresources,anddiscomfortmakinguseofavailableservices.Thishasproventobeespeciallyusefultoworkingparentswhoseworkhoursprohibituseoflocalfoodpantriesandrecentlyimmigratedhouseholds.Inresponsetoschoolrequests,inadditiontofood,weprovidehygieneitemslikelaundrydetergent,diapers,soap,andshampoo.Becausetheseitemsarecomparativelyexpensive,manylow-incomefamilieshavetogowithoutthem.Providingthesehygieneitemsincreaseshealthandself-esteemandlevelsthesocial“playingfield,”whichcanhelppreventorreducesituationslikebullying,teasing,andembarrassment.
CornerStoresLocatedinFoodDesertProgramsDistrictofColumbia:DCCentralKitchen’sHealthyCornersprogramsustainablyexpandshealthyfoodaccessinDCbyequippingcornerstoreslocatedinfooddesertswiththematerials,infrastructure,andtechnicalsupportnecessarytobeginofferingfreshproducewhilealsoprovidingnutritioneducationandpurchasingincentivestoconsumerstoincreasedemand.Gradually,asproducesalesincrease,cornerstorestransitionfromparticipatingintheprogramtoprocuringproducedirectlyfromfor-profitwholesalers.HealthyCornersoperatedin67cornerstoreslocatedinfooddesertsinthepastyear.Threelevelsofprogramparticipationareofferedtomeettheneedsofdifferentcornerstores:thetypicalmodelprovidesrefrigeration,produce,technicalassistance,andnutritioneducationtostoreswithspacetocreateastandingproducedisplay;thepromotionalmodelaimstoincreasesalesatstoreswithexistingproduceofferings;andthepop-upmodeldelivers$5bagsoffruitsandvegetablestostoreswithrestrictedlayouts.Consumerswhofrequentcornerstoresareencouragedtopurchasefruitsandvegetablesthroughcookingdemonstrationsandrecipecards.RegionalFoodBankProgramsLosAngeles:TheLosAngelesRegionalFoodBankserves600othernonprofitorganizationsthroughouttheLosAngelesCountywithmanyoftheseagencieslocatedintheCityofLosAngeles.Itisestimatedthatnearly1.4millionresidentsofLosAngelesCounty(ofatotalpopulationof10millionpeople)experiencefoodinsecuritywith40percentofthoseresidentslivingintheCityofLosAngeles.Aprimaryissueformanyresidentsisthehighcostofhousingwhichleadstomanyresidentsstrugglingtomaintaintheirhousingwhileotherslosetheirhousingandbecomehomeless.TheFoodBankhaslaunchedseveralprogramsandinitiativestoreducehungeramongfamilies,children,seniorsandindividuals.Amongtheseinitiativesisthefocusonacquiringanddistributingfreshfruitsandvegetables.Inmanylocalcommunitiesaccesstofreshproduceislimited.Inaddition,forfamiliesandindividualswhoexperiencefoodinsecurity,theirfoodpurchasestendtofocusoncaloriesinsteadofnutrientsgiventheirlimitedfoodbudgets.ThemajorityoffreshproduceacquiredbytheFoodBankisdonatedbylocalproducecompaniesandotherdonors.LosAngeleshasavibrantfoodeconomy,andtheFoodBankhasestablishedstrongrelationshipswithlocalfoodcompaniesthathavesurplus,wholesomeproduce.Inaddition,theFoodBankreceivesfreshproducethroughtheCaliforniaAssociationofFoodBanksFarmtoFamilyProgram,amodelprogramlinkingCaliforniagrowersandfarmerstofoodbanksthroughthestate.Producereceivedthroughthisprogramhasalongershelflifesinceitisacquireddirectlyfromfarms,andthisproduceallowstheFoodBanktoincreasethevarietyoffreshfruitsandvegetablesavailabletoagenciesservedthroughouttheyear.St.Paul:ForSaintPaul,SecondHarvestHeartlandisanexemplaryorganizationthatcontinuallyresponsestheproblemsofhunger.In2015,SecondHarvestHeartland–oneofthenation’slargest,efficient,andinnovativefoodbanks–deliveredfoodformorethan77millionmealstoover1,000foodshelves,pantriesandotheragencypartnerprogramsserving59countiesinMinnesotaandwesternWisconsin.Toimprovetheregion’slargerhungerreliefsystem,SecondHarvestHeartlandmitigatesthepainsofhungerbysourcing,warehousinganddistributingfoodinconjunctionwithdata-driventhoughtfulleadershipandcommunitypartnerships.SecondHarvestHeartlandalsorecognizesthefiscalrealitythatpersonslivinginpovertylackaccesstohealthy
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foods.Simplyspeaking,hungryresidentsoftenmustpaytherentbeforebuyingfreshfoods.Moreover,theirfoodpurchasesaredrivenbyprice.Thatsaid,foodinsecurityandchronicdiseasearehighlycorrelated,andhealthproblemsareoftenexacerbatedbypoornutrition,Inresponse,SecondHarvestHeartlandproactivelyworkswithitspartners,volunteers,anddonorstoseeksourcesoffreshfruitsandvegetablesforourneighborsinneed.In2015,morethan53%ofthefoodthatSecondHarvestHeartlanddistributedwasfreshfood,including,fruits,vegetables,bakedgoods,meat,anddairyitems.WithitsShareFreshMinnesotaprogram,farmersdonatedmorethan9.8millionpoundsofproducein2015.SecondHarvestHeartlandalsosecuresagriculturalsurplusbyimplementingajust-in-timeharvest-through-deliverysystem–ensuringthatagriculturalsurplusisnotleftbehindinthefield.SecondHarvestHeartlandhasalsodevelopeditsdistributioncapacitybyusingsophisticatedlogisticswiththesupportofitspartners,suchasHunger-FreeMinnesota,Cargill,SenecaFoods,PinnacleFoods,Inc.,GeneralMills,C.H.Robinson,SUPERVALU,andothergrowers.Mostimportantly,SecondHarvestHeartlanddeliversthefoodtoourneighbors-in-needusinginnovativedeliverymethods.SecondHarvestHeartlandworkedwithSaintPaulcommunitypartners,suchasKeystoneCommunityServicesandNeighborhoodHouse,todevelop“freemarkets”thatprovidessurplusproducegrownbyMinnesotafarmerstothetablesoflow-incomeresidents.Keystone’sFoodmobilealsotravelstoareasofhighneedwhereresidentshavedifficultygettingtoafoodshelf.Furthermore,whenaSaintPaulfoodshelfsuddenlycloseditsdoorinahigh-needneighborhoodofSaintPaul,SecondHarvestHeartlandcoordinatedfreeproducedistributioneventsattwolocalelementaryschools.WithitsFood+Youprogram,SecondHarvestHeartlandpartnerswithSaintPaulelementaryschools,suchastheBruceF.VentoElementarySchool,todistributemonthlyfamilyfoodboxessothatstudents-in-needhavefreshfruits,vegetablesandfooditems.Finally,foodinsecurityoftenmeansahigherlikelihoodofchronicdiseaseandpoorhealthforourneighbors-in-need.Asaninnovativeresponse,SecondHarvestHeartlandrecentlylauncheditsFOODRx-anewfoodprescriptionpilotprojectforlow-incomepatientsinMinnesota.Simply,itsFOODRxpilotprogramessentiallytreatsfoodasmedicineasmanypeopleaccesshealthcaresystemsyetnotvisitafoodshelf.Tobridgethisgap,itsFOODRxworkswithhealthcareproviderstoprovideresources,suchasNeighborhoodHouseFoodShelfinSaintPaul(withmulti-lingualstaff),toassistpeoplewhomaynotuseexistinghungerreliefresources.Philadelphia:TheEatRightNowProgram,VetriRistorante,andIndependenceBlueCrosspartnertooffertheSHAREPackageProgramandFarmersMarketsatatotalof17Philadelphiaschoolseverymonth.Inadditiontofoodpackagesandfarmersmarketsthereisnutritionandcookingcomponentateachsite.Workingwithlocaldoctors,SHAREFoodProgramcreated3mealpackagesthataddresshealthconcerns,specificallyforpeoplewithkidneyproblems,diabetes,andimmunehealthconcerns.TheGreaterPhiladelphiaCoalitionAgainstHungercreatedtheVictoryinPartnership(VIP)ProjecttothenetworklocalfoodpantriessoupkitchenswithinfiveregionsofPhiladelphia,sotheycouldstrategicallyworktogethertofighthungerintheircommunities.WithfundingfromcorporatesponsorsandtheWilliamPennFoundation,theVIPProjecthassinceprovidedmorethan70feedingprogramswithfunding,kitchenequipment,trainingandothertoolstofeedmorepeopleinneedmoreefficiently.TheAnti-HungerCommitteeoftheFoodPolicyCouncilcompletedthePhillyFoodFinder,inspringof2015,foundathttp://www.phllyfoodfiner.org/.ThePhillyFoodFinderisafoodresourceguidebyCouncilDistrictsthatwillincludeeveryfoodresourceinthedistrict.Thisguideisavailableonlineaswellasinhardcopy.SanAntonio:FoodBank’sFINIPilotProject.TheSanAntonioFoodBank(foodBank)receivedaDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)FoodInsecurityNutritionInitiative(FINI)grant,whichsupportsprojectsthatincreasetheconsumptionoffruitsandvegetablesamonglowincomepopulations.Theprojectplanwastocompletepreandpostoutcomesurveysbi-weeklyormonthlynutritionclassesbyqualifiednutritionistsforatotalof3or6months.Eachclass,theparticipantsreceive$40worthofvoucherstobeusedforthepurchaseoffruitsandvegetablesasanincentive
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totaling$240perparticipant.Theproduceincentiveistenvouchers($4value)toberedeemedattheSanAntonioFoodBank’sfarmersmarketstopurchasefruitsandvegetables.EducationaltopicsforcurriculumtopromotetheintakeoffruitsandvegetablesamongSNAPparticipantsareselectedfollowingtheUSDAsciencebasedrecommendations(6topicstobedeliveredwith6voucherdistributions).Educationandvoucherdistributionisplannedtotakeplaceonceortwiceamonth,takingintoconsiderationthat$40participantisenoughproducefortwoweeks.TheFruitandVegetableIntakeScreenerfromtheNationalCancerInstitutewasselectedtomeasuretheoutcomeoftheintervention.Otherdatabeingcollectedincludedemographics,redemptionandretentionrates,aswellasreasonsfornotaccessingtheincentive.ThetimeframetooperatetheincentiveprogramissetfromMay2toDecember15,2016.Promotionoftheprogramistakingplacebymeansofflyers,whichwerealsotranslatedinSpanish.Educationalsessions,distributionandredemptionofvouchersaretakingplaceatfivefarmersmarketsoperatedbytheSanAntonioFoodBank’sFarmersMarketAssociation.PromotionalflyersaredistributedatoutletstargetingSNAPrecipients.TheoperationoftheFINIIncentiveProgrambeganonMay2,2016.CitywithMultiplePrograms
SanFrancisco:Home-DeliveredGroceriesForpeoplewithlimitedmobilitywhoareunabletoattendapantrybutwhoareabletoprepareandcookfoodforthemselvesorhavein-homesupport,anewcitywideHomeDeliveredGroceries(HDG)programaddressesacriticalneedinSanFrancisco.TheHDGprogrammaximizesseniors’abilitytoremainintheirhomes,asopposedtorequiringresidentialcare,andallowsthecitytoextendcommunity-basedservicesthroughknownserviceproviders.ItisaclosecollaborationbetweentheCountywhofundstheprogramandaugmentsthehoursofIn-HomeSupportworkerstopickupfood,theFoodBankwhoprovidesthefoodandcommunity-basedorganizationswhoorganizevolunteerstodeliverthefood.SummerPantriesWhenschoolscloseddownforthesummer,someofthemwerealsoforcedtoclosetheirdoorstohundredsofrecipientsofouron-campusHealthyChildrenpantries.Tofillthatvoid,theSF-MarinFoodBankstartedtheSummerPantriesprogram.Twosites,oneintheChinatowntheotherintheBayView,openeduptheirdoorsweekly,servingfamiliesfromseveraldifferentschools.TheideawastobridgethegapuntiltheFallsemesterbegan.Overalltheprogramworked,withhundredsofaffectedfamiliesreceivingfresh,nutritiousfoodthroughthesummermonths.TherapeuticPantriesFoodcanbeapowerfultoolwhenitcomestonutritionandhelpingtopreventdiseasesandmanagingotherailments.Thatbecamethebasisofanotherpilotprogramstartedin2016calledTherapeuticPantries.OriginallyintendedfortheSanFranciscoGeneralHospitalcampus,publichealth-foodbankcollaborativeeventuallylaunchedatthecity’sMaxineHallHealthCenterinSanFrancisco’sWesternAddition.Theprogramleveragedthepublichealthsystemtoprovidescreeningandreferralsofpatientswithactivediabetesaswellasstaffandvolunteerstodistributethefood.ThefocuswasnotjustonthefreshproducedeliveredtwiceamonthfromtheFoodBank,butalsoonhowrecipientscouldmaximizethatfoodforhealthygains.Eachsessionincludedspecialmedicalscreenings,foodsecurityreferralsandapplicationassistance,freshrecipes,andeducationaltalksledbypublichealthofficialsandnonprofitpartners.ProducePop-UpsTosome,thewords“foodpanty”conjureupimagesofcannedvegetablesandboxesofspaghetti,buttheSF-MarinFoodBank’snewProducePop-Upprogramturnedthatnotiononitshead.Allsummerlong,theFoodBankloadeduptheirdeliveryvansandventuredintoSanFrancisconeighborhoodstoshowcasethefreshproducethatmakesup60percentofthefoodtheydistributeattheirpantries.Over1,500peoplereceivedfreshseasonproduceandreferralinformationtofoodpantriesandtheSNAPprogramduringthepilotprogram.
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InteractiveNutritionalPrograms
SantaBarbara:Todeterminecommunityneedandmealgaps,weutilizeourGuidetoNutritionProgramstool–aninteractivemapoverlayingfooddistributionpoints,schoolswithover50%FreeandreducedpriceMeals,totalchildrenlivinginpoverty,andtotalpopulationlivinginpovertyacrossvariousCountycensustracts.http://foodbanksbc.org/guide-to-nutrition-programs/
DistrictofColumbia:TheCapitalAreaFoodBank’sonlinesocialsearchengine,theFoodBankNetwork,instantaneouslyconnectsindividualsinneedtohealthyfoodprogramsandprovidersintheirneighborhoodalongwithfreeandreducedcostwraparoundsocialservicessuchashealthcare,housing,jobtraining,andmore.Launchedinmid-2015,theFoodBankNetworkservesasacomplimenttotheCAFB’sHungerLifelineandhasbeenutilizedbyover6,000userscompletingnearly43,000searches.Ofthoseusers,themajorityhavebeensearchingforservicesforthemselvesortheirfamilies,whilesomesearcheshavebeencompletedbysocialworkers,casemanagers,nursesandotherssearchingonbehalfofsomeoneelse.TheFoodBankNetwork,poweredbyAuntBertha,isuniqueamongsearchenginesinthatitisdesignedtomakehumanservicesinformationaccessiblesothatpeoplecanfindthehelpthattheyneedeasily,quickly,andanonymously.ItisamobilefriendlyplatformandlistsallfreeandreducedcostsocialserviceswithintheWashington,DCmetroarea.Listingsarekeptup-to-datethroughfrequentdataclean-upsandcrowdsourcing.TheCapitalAreaFoodBankiscurrentlyexploringhowtheFoodBankNetworkcanalsobeusedbyitsclinicalcarepartnerstoreferpatientsscreeningpositiveforfoodinsecurityandothersocialdeterminantstoappropriatecommunity-basedservices.MulticulturalFoodProgramsSeattle:ElCentrodelaRazaservestheneedsofitscommunity,offeringover40programstomen,women,youthandfamilies,includingafoodbankandfreecongregatemealprogram.Forover40years,ElCentrodelaRazahasservedasafoodlifelinetolocal,low-incomeandethnicallydiversecommunities.ReflectingBeaconHill’sdiverseneighborhood,theFoodBank’sculturallydiversestaffandvolunteerswelcomeallincludingLatino,Asian/APIandFilipinocommunitymembers.Residentscanchoosefromculturallyappropriatefoodandculturallyresponsiveservices.Inaddition,tothefoodbankprogram,ElCentrodelaRaza’sHot-Mealprogramservesourmostvulnerableresidentsmostwhohavenoaccesstoahot,nutritiousmeal.Wholesomeanddeliciouslunchesarepreparedon-sitebydedicatedkitchenstaffwhogreettheirguestsinawarmandinvitingdiningroom.TobetterserveourHot-Mealclients,ElCentrodelaRazapartnerswithKingCounty’sMobileMedicalUnittoofferawiderangeoffreemedicalservicesinafamiliar,safeandwelcomingspace.Dependingonneed,participantsalsohaveaccesstoHealthcareEnrollment(anotherElCentraldelaRazaprogram),aswellasemergencysupportservices.
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HOMELESSNESSINU.S.CITIESThischapterprovidesasnapshotofhomelessnessinU.S.citiesstudied,presentslongitudinaltrendsinsubpopulations,andcompareshomelessnessinstudycitiestonationalaverages.ThischapterusesthemostrecentlyavailabledatafromtheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandtheU.S.CensusBureau.MoreinformationonthemethodologyusedforthischaptercanbefoundinAppendixA.
HomelessPopulationandSubpopulationsTheJanuary2016point-in-timecount3identified544,084peopleexperiencinghomelessnessinthe50U.S.statesandtheDistrictofColumbia.Thistranslatestoarateof16.9peopleexperiencinghomelessnessper10,000peopleinthegeneralpopulation.IntheU.S.citiesstudied,171,520peoplewereidentifiedinJanuary2016.Thisrepresents31.5percentofallhomelessnessintheU.S.Therateofhomelessnessinstudycitiesishigherthanthenationalrateat50.9peopleexperiencinghomelessnessper10,000inthegeneralpopulation.But,thishigherrateisnotuniversal.Three-quartersofstudycities(24of32)haveratesofhomelessnesshigherthanthenationalrate,butonlysixstudycitieshaverateshigherthantherateofhomelessnessacrossallstudycities.Ratesinindividualstudycitiesrangefrom11inWichitato124inWashington,D.C.Thegeneralpopulationsizeofacitydoesnotappeartohaveanimpactontherateofhomelessnesswithhomelessnessratesvaryingacrosscitypopulationsizes.Figure1.1CITYRATESOFHOMELESSNESS(PER10,000PEOPLEINGENERALPOPULATION),2016
3Everyyearduringthelast10daysofJanuary,communitiesacrossthecountryconductanenumerationofhomelesspersonslivinginemergencyshelter,transitionalhousing,oronthestreet,inwhatiscommonlyknownasapoint-in-timecount.Formoreinformation:http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/fact-sheet-point-in-time-counts
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Mostpeople(64.5percent)experiencinghomelessnessintheU.S.areindividuals.Inthestudycities,individualsmadeup59.5percentofthehomelesspopulation,aslightlysmallerpercentagethannationally,but23ofthe32studycitieshaveahigherproportionofindividualsthanthenationalrate.NewYorkCityhadthelowestproportionofindividualsat39.4percent;SanFranciscothehighestat90.2percent.
Figure1.2INDIVIDUALANDFAMILYHOMELESSSUBPOPULATIONSBYCITY,2016
IntheU.S.,39.6percentofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessarefemale,60.1percentaremale,and0.3percentaretransgender.Thestudycitieshaveapproximatelythesamegenderproportions(seeFigure1.3),with40.4percentfemale,59.1percentmale,and0.5percenttransgender.Inallstudycities,apersonexperiencinghomelessnessismorelikelytobemalethanfemale,butthepercentagevarieswidely.NewYorkCityhasthehighestpercentageofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnesswhoarefemaleat48.2percent.SanFrancisco,Nashville,andAtlantahavethehighestpercentagesofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnesswhoaremaleat75.8,77.8,and79.9percentrespectively.
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Figure1.3GENDERPROPORTIONSBYCITY,2016
Thepercentofpeoplewhoareunshelteredinthestudycities(24.7percent)islowerthanintheU.S.overall(31.6percent).Onlynineofthestudycitieshadratesofunshelteredhomelessnesshigherthanthenationalaverage,butthesecitiesaloneaccountforapproximatelyoneofeveryfivepeopleexperiencingunshelteredhomelessnessinthecountry:LosAngeles,CA(21,338people);LongBeach(1,513people);Pasadena,CA(352people),SanFrancisco,CA(4,358people);PortlandandGresham,OR(1,887peoplecombined);Honolulu,HI(2,173people);SanAntonio,TX(1,137people);andAustin,TX(816people).ThestudycitieswiththelowestproportionsofunshelteredhomelessnessareWashington,D.C.andNewYorkCitywithonly3.8percentand3.9percentofpeopleunshelteredrespectively.
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Figure1.4UNSHELTEREDHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2016
Chronichomelessnessisdefinedaspeoplewhohaveadisability—includingseriousmentalillness,chronicsubstanceusedisorders,orchronicmedicalissues—andwhoarehomelessrepeatedlyforlongperiodsoftime.Individualsexperiencingchronichomelessnessaccountfor13.9percentofU.S.homelessnessand14.3percentinthestudycities.19of32studycitieshavehigherproportionsofchronichomelessnessamongindividualsthantheU.S.overall,thoughtheproportionsvariedwidelyacrosscities,from3.7percentinLincoln,NEto40.3percentinNashville,TN.
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Figure1.5INDIVIDUALSEXPERIENCINGCHRONICHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2016
Nationally,7.2percentofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessareidentifiedasveterans.Inthestudycities,4.9percentofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnesswereveterans,but24of32studycitieshadhigher-than-nationalrates.DurhamandIndianapolishavethehighestproportionofveteransexperiencinghomelessnessat20.1percent.NewYorkCityhasthelowestproportionofveteransat0.8percent.
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Figure1.6VETERANHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2016
Nationally,unaccompaniedchildrenandyouthaccountfor6.5percentoftheoverallhomelesspopulation.Unaccompaniedchildrenandyouthaccountedforaslightlysmallerpercentageoftheoverallhomelesspopulationinthestudycities4:4.5percent.SanFranciscoreportedamuchhigherpercentageofunaccompaniedyouth,21.3percent,thananyothercities.However,only11studycitiesreportedpercentagesofunaccompaniedyouthhigherthanthenationallevelof6.5percent.Augusta,NewYorkCity,andWashington,D.C.hadthelowestproportionofyouth(1.7,2.5,and2.5percentrespectively).Therearequestionsastotheaccuracyofthesedataasyoutharethoughtnottobeenumeratedeffectivelywithcurrentpoint-in-timecountmethodsbecause,amongotherreasons,homelessyouthandchildrentendnottocongregateinthesameareasasolderhomelessadultsthataretypicallytargetedduringcountingefforts.4Inthisanalysis,theCityofLosAngelesisnotincludedbecausecity-leveldatawasnotavailable.
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Figure1.7HOMELESSUNACCOMPANIEDCHILDRENANDYOUTHBYCITY,2016
TrendsinHomelessnessinCities5
Examiningpoint-in-timecountsinjurisdictionsovertimeisoneofthewaysinwhichprogressinendinghomelessnesscanbemeasured.6
OVERALLHOMELESSNESSThenumberofpeoplereportedtobeexperiencinghomelessnessintheU.S.decreased12.9percentfrom2009to2016,includinga2.6percentfrom2015to2016.Themajorityofstudycitiesfollowedthesenationaltrends.From2009to2016,approximatelytwo-thirdsofstudycities(20of31)reporteddecreasesinthenumberofpeopleexperiencinghomelessness.Thesedecreasesrangedfrom3.0percentto53.7percent.ThelargestdecreasewasinLongBeach,CA,whichreported1,659fewerpeople(a42.4percentdecrease).Pasadena,CA;LongBeach,CA;andAugusta,GAalsoreporteddecreasesofmorethan40percent.Reportedincreasesinoverallhomelessnessincitiesrangedfrom2.4percentto49.0percent.ThelargestreportedincreasewasinNewYorkCitybybothnumberandpercent,withanincreaseof24,180people(49.0percentincrease).Wichita,KS;Honolulu,HI;andWashington,D.C.reportedincreasesofmorethan30percent.
5Trendsinhomelessnessamongunaccompaniedchildrenandyoutharenotpresentedbecauseofthebeforementionedconcernswiththeaccuracyoftheenumerationsofthispopulation.6DuetovariationinthegeographyofContinuumsofCare,frequencyofcounts,andchangesinmethodology,year-to-yearandlongitudinalcomparisonsarenotalwayspossible.Priorto2013,AtlantawaspartofaContinuumofCarewithabroadergeographymeaningcity-leveldataisnotavailable;therefore,Atlantaisexcludedfromallcomparisonsto2009and2011(veterans).FortheCityofLosAngeles,dataisnotavailableforyouthexperiencinghomelessnessduringanyyearorforindividualsandpeopleinfamiliesin2009.Sixcities(Portland,OR;Gresham,OR;Albuquerque,NM;Baltimore,MD;LongBeach,CA;andSanFrancisco,CA)didnotconductanunshelteredcountin2016andthusareexcludedfromanyanalysisregardingchangesbetween2015and2016.
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Figure1.8PERCENTCHANGEINTOTALHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2009TO2016
From2015to2016,approximatelytwo-thirds(16of26)ofstudycitiesreportedfewerpeopleexperiencinghomelessness,withreporteddecreasesrangingfrom0.6percentto56.5percent.ThelargestreporteddecreaseinoverallhomelesspersonswasinNewYorkCity,withadecreaseof1,800people(a2.4percentdecrease).Citiesreportedincreasesrangingfrom0.8percentto16.7percent.ThelargestincreaseinoverallhomelessnesswasintheCityofLosAngeles,withanincreaseof2,778people(a10.8percentincrease).Austin,OklahomaCity,andWashington,D.C.reportedincreasesofmorethan14percent.
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Figure1.9PERCENTCHANGEINTOTALHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2015TO2016
UNSHELTEREDHOMELESSNESS
ThenumberofpeoplereportedtobeexperiencingunshelteredhomelessnessintheU.S.decreased22.8percentfrom2009to2016.Incontrast,nationally,from2015to2016,unshelteredhomelessnesswasreportedtohaveincreased2.0percent.Thetrendsinstudycitieswerenotasclearandincreasesinsomestudycitieswerelikelyadrivingaforceinthereportednationalincreaseinunshelteredhomelessnessfrom2015to2016.
From2009to2016,abouthalf(16of31)ofthecitiesstudiedreporteddecreasesinunshelteredhomelessness.Decreasesrangedfrom1.0percentto80.3percent.ThelargestdecreaseinunshelteredhomelessnesswasreportedbyBaltimore,MD—adecreaseof891people(72.6percentdecrease).Albuquerque,NM;St.Louis,MO;andCharlotte,NCalsoreporteddecreasesofmorethan65percent.Theotherhalfofstudycitiesreportedincreasesinunshelteredhomelessness,insomeinstancesverylargeincreases.ThelargestincreasesinthenumberofpeopleexperiencingunshelteredhomelessnessmorethaneclipsethelargestdecreasesseeninotherstudycitieswiththeCityofLosAngelesreportinganincreaseof5,568people;SanFrancisco,CAanincreaseof1,416people;andHonolulu,HIanincreaseof980people.
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Figure1.10PERCENTCHANGEINUNSHELTEREDHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2009TO2016
From2015to2016,morethanhalf(14of26cities)ofstudycitiesreportedincreasesinunshelteredhomelessness.Increasesrangedfrom3.9percentto115.6percent.ThelargestincreaseinunshelteredhomelessnesswasreportedbytheCityofLosAngeles:anincreaseof3,651people(a20.6percentincrease).Cambridge,MA;OklahomaCity,OK;Nashville,TN;andPortland,MEalsoreportedlargepercentageincreases.Studycitiesreporteddecreasesrangingfrom1.8percentto83.7percent.Amongthecitiesthatreporteddecreases,Chicagohadthelargestdecrease—812lesspeopleunsheltered(a39.5percentdecrease).Augusta,GA;Alexandria,VA;Lincoln,NE;andWashington,D.C.,reportedpercentdecreaselargerthan40percent.
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Figure1.11.PERCENTCHANGEINUNSHELTEREDHOMELESSNESSBYCITY,2015TO2016
INDIVIDUALS
ThenumberofindividualsreportedtobeexperiencinghomelessnessintheU.S.decreased9.5percentfrom2009to2016.From2015to2016,homelessnessamongindividualsdecreased0.8percentnationally.Trendsinstudycitieswerenotasclearandincreasesinlargestudycitiesoutpacedsmallerdecreasesinotherstudycities.
From2009to2016,half(15of30)ofstudycities7reporteddecreasesinhomelessnessamongindividualsexperiencinghomelessness.Decreasesrangedfrom0.5percentto52.6percent.ThelargestdecreasewasreportedbyLongBeach,CAwithadecreaseof1,292people(a40.4percentdecrease).Augusta,GA;Pasadena,CA;andDurham,NCreporteddecreasesgreaterthan45percent.Instudycitiesreportingincreasesinhomelessnessamongindividualsfrom2009to2016,increasesrangedfrom2.6percentto59.3percent.ThelargestincreasewasreportedbyNewYorkCity,NY:anincreaseof10,777people(a59.3percentincrease).Honolulu,HIalsoreportedanincreaseofmorethan50percent.
7TheCityofLosAngelesisexcludedfromthisanalysisbecausecity-leveldataonhomelessnessamongindividualswasnotavailablefor2009.
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Figure1.12.PERCENTCHANGEINHOMELESSINDIVIDUALSBYCITY,2009TO2016
From2015to2016,nearlytwo-thirds(15of26)ofstudycitiesstudiedreporteddecreasesinhomelessnessamongindividuals,butlargeincreasesintheCityofLosAngelesmorethanoffsetthosedecreases.Reporteddecreasesrangedfrom0.8percentto63.9percent.ThelargestdecreaseswasreportedbyChicago:871people(19.0percentdecrease).Durham,NCalsoreportedalargedecrease:419people(63.9percent).Instudycitiesthatreportedmorehomelessindividualsin2016thanin2015,increasesrangedfrom2.5percentto41.2percent.ThelargestincreasewasreportedbytheCityofLosAngeles,CA:anincreaseof3,552people(a16.7percentincrease).
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Figure1.13.PERCENTCHANGEINHOMELESSINDIVIDUALSBYCITY,2015TO2016
PEOPLEINFAMILIESThenumberofpeopleinfamiliesreportedtobeexperiencinghomelessnessintheU.S.decreased18.5percentfrom2009to2016.From2015to2016,homelessnessamongpeopleinfamiliesdecreased5.6percentnationally.Forthemostpart,trendsinthestudycitiesfollowedthesamepatternwithacouplenotableexceptions.From2009to2016,morethantwo-thirdsofstudycities(21of30)8reporteddecreasesinthenumberpeopleinfamiliesexperiencinghomelessness.Decreasesrangedfrom0.9percentto65.9percent.ThelargestdecreasewasreportedbyChicago,ILwithadecreaseof730people(a25.2percentdecrease).Pasadena,CA;Cambridge,MA;andLincoln,NEreportedlargepercentdecreaseswithdecreaseslargerthan60percent.Ofthestudycitiesthatreportedanincrease,increasesrangedfrom4.9percentto160.8percent.ThelargestincreasewasreportedbyNewYorkCity:13,403people(a43.0percentincrease).Wichita,KSandWashington,D.C.reportedincreaseslargeinmagnitude,withthehomelessfamiliespopulationmorethandoublinginthattime.
8TheCityofLosAngelesisexcludedfromthisanalysisbecausecity-leveldataonfamilyhomelessnesswasnotavailablefor2009.
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Figure1.14.PERCENTCHANGEINHOMELESSPEOPLEINFAMILIESBYCITY,2009TO2016
From2015to2016,morethantwo-thirdsofthestudycities(18of26)reporteddecreasesinthenumberofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessaspartofafamilyunit.Decreasesrangedfrom0.7percentto46.1percent.ThelargestdecreasewasreportedbyNewYorkCity,withadecreaseof1,153people(a2.5percentdecrease).Anchorage,AK;St.Louis,MO;Pasadena,CA;andAugusta,GAreporteddecreasesgreaterthan30percent.Ofthestudycitiesthatreportedanincrease,increasesrangedfrom1.1percentto34.2percent.ThelargestincreasewasWashington,D.C.:1,190people(a34.2percentincrease).OklahomaCity,OKandWichita,KSalsoreportedincreasesgreaterthan25percent.
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Figure1.15.PERCENTCHANGEINHOMELESSPEOPLEINFAMILIESBYCITY,2015TO2016
CHRONICALLYHOMELESSINDIVIDUALSThenumberofindividualsreportedtobeexperiencingchronichomelessnessintheU.S.decreased27.5percentfrom2009to2016.From2015to2016,thenumberofindividualsreportedtobeexperiencingchronichomelessnessdecreased7.0percentnationally.While,themajorityofstudycitiesfollowedthenationaltrendfrom2009to2016,moststudycitiesreportedincreasesinchronichomelessnessamongindividualsfrom2015to2016.From2009to2016,nearlythree-quarters(22of31)ofstudycitiesreporteddecreasesinchronichomelessnessamongindividuals.Decreasesrangedfrom9.5percentto75.8percent.ThelargestdecreaseinchronicallyhomelessindividualswasreportedbySanFrancisco,withadecreaseof1,011people(a35.9percentdecrease).Anchorage,AKandAugusta,GAreporteddecreasesofmorethan75percent.Ofthosecitiesthatreportedanincreaseinchronichomelessnessbetween2009and2016,increasesrangedfrom1.4percentto104.5percent.ThelargestincreaseswereintheCityofLosAngeles,withanincreaseof2,710people(a46.1percentincrease),andHonolulu,HI,withanincreaseof508people(a104.5percentincrease).
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Figure1.16.PERCENTCHANGEINCHRONICALLYHOMELESSINDIVIDUALSBYCITY,2009TO2016
From2015to2016,morethanhalf(14of26)ofthestudycitiesreportedincreasesinchronichomelessnessamongindividuals.Increasesrangedfrom2.9percentto54.3percent.ThelargestincreasewasreportedbytheCityofLosAngeles,withanincreaseof531people(a6.6percentincrease).Austin,TX;Nashville,TN;andLouisville,KYreportedincreasesofmorethan45percent.Ofthecitiesthatreportedfewerchronicallyhomelessindividualsin2016thanin2015,decreasesrangedfrom1.0percentto68.5percent.ThecitythatreportedthelargestdecreasewasChicago,IL,withadecreaseof716people(a68.2percentdecrease).Wichita,KSandAnchorage,AKalsoreporteddecreasesinchronichomelessnessamongindividualsgreaterthan50percent.
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Figure1.17.PERCENTCHANGEINCHRONICALLYHOMELESSINDIVIDUALSBYCITY,2015TO2016
VETERANS
ThenumberofveteransreportedtobeexperiencinghomelessnessintheU.S.decreased39.8percentfrom2011to2016.9From2015to2016,veteranhomelessnesswasreportedtodecrease17.3percentnationally.Alargemajorityofstudycitiesconformedtothenationaltrends,withsomestudycitiesreportingsignificantprogressinaddressingveteranhomelessness.
From2009to2016,three-quarters(23of30)10ofstudycitiesreporteddecreasesinveteranhomelessness.Decreasesrangefrom8.1percentto88.0percentoverthisperiod.ThelargestdecreasereportedwasinNewYorkCity,NY:adecreaseof4,118veterans(an88.0percentdecrease).Cambridge,MAandAlexandria,VAalsoreporteddecreasesgreaterthan80percent.Inthestudycitiesthatreportedincreases,increasesrangedfrom12.5percentto40.0percent.ThelargestincreasewasreportedbyChicago,IL,with101moreveteransreportedtobeexperiencinghomelessnessin2016thanin2015.
9Trendsforveteranhomelessnessarereportedfrom2011to2016insteadof2009to2016because2011isthefirstyearreliabledataispubliclyavailablenationallyandonthecity-level.10TheCityofLosAngelesisnotincludedinthisanalysisbecausecity-leveldatawasnotcollectedfor2011.
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Figure1.18.PERCENTCHANGEINHOMELESSVETERANS,2011TO2016
From2015to2016,nearlyallstudycities(21of26)reporteddecreasesinhomelessnessamongveterans.Decreasesrangedfrom2.3percentto64.1percent.ThelargestdecreasesinhomelessamongveteranswerereportedbytheCityofLosAngeles,CA,withadecreaseof1,116veterans(a58.8percentdecrease),andNewYorkCity,NY,withadecreaseof999veterans(a64.1percentdecrease).Alexandria,VAalsoreportedadecreaseinveteranhomelessnessgreaterthan50percent.Instudycitiesthatreportedanincrease,increasesrangedfrom0.5percentto25.6percent.OklahomaCityreportedthelargestincreaseinveteranhomelessness,withanincreaseof32people(a25.6percentincrease).
Figure1.19.PERCENTCHANGEINHOMELESSVETERANSBYCITY,2015TO2016
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HomelessAssistanceinCitiesin2016ThischapterpresentsasnapshotofhomelessassistanceinU.S.cities,longitudinaltrendsinhousinginventoryavailabletoassistpeopleexperiencinghomelessness,responsesfromsurveyedcityofficialsastowhatismostneededtoreducehomelessness,andexamplesofexemplaryprogramsinsurveyedU.S.cities.ThischapterusesthemostrecentlyavailabledatafromtheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentaswellasanswersfromasurveyoftheofficesofmayorswhositontheU.S.ConferenceofMayors’TaskForceonHungerandHomelessness.Dataonbedcapacityincludesallbedsdedicatedtohomelessnessregardlessoffundingsource.HomelessAssistanceSystemCapacity
InJanuary2016,therewereatotalof824,929bedsdesignatedforpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessacrossthenation.Inthestudycities,therewere256,309bedsdedicatedtohomelessassistanceaccountingfor31percentofthenationalinventory.Permanenthousinginterventions—permanentsupportivehousingandrapidre-housing—accountforabouthalfofthebedsbothintheU.S.overall(50.4percent)andinthestudycities(46.4percent).Permanentsupportivehousingiscurrentlytheinterventionwhichhasthemostcapacity,bothinthehomelessassistancesystemnationallyandinstudycities.Rapidre-housingisarelativelynewintervention,withdataoncapacityonlycollectedsince2013.Nationallyitaccountsfornearlyoneintenbeds,butinthecitiesstudied,itonlyaccountsforabouthalfthat.IntheU.S.citiesstudied,therewasalsoaslightlyhigherproportionofemergencyshelterandslightlylowerproportionofpermanenthousinginterventionsthaninthenationoverall.Toacertainextentthisisskewedbyoneoutlierjurisdiction—NewYorkCity.NewYorkCityhasalegalrighttoshelterrequirement,meaningitmustprovideeveryhomelesspersonwithaplacetostay.Asaresultithasmoreemergencyshelterthanotherjurisdictions.WithNewYorkCityexcludedfromtheanalysis,studycitiesaremoreheavilyinvestedinpermanentsolutionstohomelessnessthanthenationisoverallwith58percentofcapacityaccountedforbypermanentsupportivehousingandrapidre-housing.Table2.1PERCENTOFBEDCAPACITYBYBEDTYPE,2016
U.S. U.S.CitiesStudied
U.S.withoutNYC
U.S.CitiesStudiedwithoutNYC
EmergencyShelter 32.0% 40.7% 27.0% 23.2%TransitionalHousing* 17.6% 12.9% 19.5% 18.7%PermanentSupportiveHousing 41.1% 41.1% 43.0% 49.9%RapidRe-Housing 9.3% 5.3% 10.5% 8.1%
*TransitionalhousingbedinventoryinthisreportincludesSafeHavenbeds.HomelessAssistanceTrends
From2009to2016,ashiftoccuredinhomelessassistancethatisreflectedinthehousinginventoriesnationallyandinstudycities.Longitudinaltrendsinbedinventoryshowanincreasingshiftinhomelessassistancetowardpermanenthousingsolutions.Forthemostpart,theshiftsinthestudycitiesstudiedcloselymirrorthechangesseennationally.Permanentsupportivehousingcapacitygrewsignificantlynationallyandinstudycities.Simultaneously,transitionalhousingcapacitydecreasedasfederalfundingincreasinglyfocusedoninterventionsthataremorecosteffectiveandhavebetteroutcomesformostpeople.In2013,dataonthenumberofrapidre-housingbedswascollectedforthefirsttime.Rapidre-housingisarelativelynewpermanenthousinginterventionandcapacitynearlytripled(289percentincrease)intheU.S.between2013and2016.Whilerapidre-housingaccountsforasmallerproportionofbedsdedicatedtohomelessnessinthestudycitiesin2016,rapidre-housingmorethantripled(348percentincrease)from2013to2016.
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Table2.2CHANGEINHOMELESSASSISTANCEBEDCAPACITYBYBEDTYPE
U.S. Citiesstudied
TotalBedsin2016
PercentChange
from2015
PercentChangefrom2009*
TotalBedsin2016
PercentChange
from2015
PercentChangefrom
2009*
EmergencyShelter 263,767 0.1% 23.4% 104,389 0.2% 46.6%TransitionalHousing 145,229 -9.4% -30.1% 33,082 -7.8% -28.4%PermanentSupportiveHousing 338,872 7.0% 55.3% 105,336 12.5% 30.0%RapidRe-Housing 77,061 28.3% 289.0%** 13,502 0.6% 347.9%**
*Atlantaexcluded**Forrapidre-housing,thechangeincapacityreportedisfrom2013to2016.TheCityofLosAngelesisexcludedbecausecity-leveldatawasunavailablefor2013.
UNMETNEEDPeoplelivinginpermanentsupportivehousingandrapidre-housingarenolongerconsideredhomelessforthepurposesofthepoint-in-timecount.Assuch,emergencyshelterandtransitionalhousingreflectthebedcapacityavailabletoservethosepeoplewhoarehomelessonanygivennight.Nationally,emergencyshelterandtransitionalhousingbedscanshelterapproximately75percentofthehomelesspopulationonasinglenight.Thestudycitiescouldshelterapproximately80percentoftheirhomelesspopulation.Thisdeficitmeansthat,evenifeveryemergencyshelterandtransitionalhousingbedwasfilled,morethan34,000peoplewouldstillbeunshelteredinstudycities.
Figure2.1HOMELESSASSISTANCESYSTEMBEDDEFICIT,2016
Whencityofficialswereaskedtoidentifywhatwasmostneededtoreducehomelessnessintheircities,theoverwhelmingresponsewasmoremainstreamhousingassistanceand/oraffordablehousing.Cityofficialsalsolistedtheneedformorepermanentsupportivehousing,betteremploymentandemploymenttrainingopportunities,andbettercoordinationwithmentalhealthandsubstanceabuseservices.
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EXEMPLARYPROGRAMSINU.S.CITIESWhensurveyed,cityofficialsidentifiedexemplaryprogramsthattheybelieveareworkingtobuildeffectivehomelessassistancesystems;endchronic,veteran,youth,andunshelteredhomelessness;andconnecthomelessindividualsandfamilieswithacuteneedstohousingandservices.11BuildEffectiveHomelessAssistanceSystemsProvidence,RI–CoordinatedEntryProvidence,RIparticipatesintheZero2016campaign.Providencere-tooledthehomelessassistancesystemtofocusonaHousingFirstapproachandimplementacoordinatedentrysystem.Providenceutilizesavulnerabilityassessmenttodecideonhomelesspersons’needsforpermanentsupportivehousing,rapidre-housingresources,ordiversionoutofthehomelessassistancesystem.Asaresult,Providencehoused363veteransand413chronicallyhomelesspersonssinceJanuary2015.Thecityisfocusedonendingfamilyhomelessnessaswell.SanFrancisco,CA–OfficeDedicatedtoHomelessnessThroughtheprovisionofcoordinated,compassionate,andhigh-qualityservices,theDepartmentofHomelessnessandSupportiveHousingstrivestomakehomelessnessinSanFranciscorare,brief,andonetime.
TheDepartmentofHomelessnessandSupportiveHousinglaunchedonJuly1,2016.ThedepartmentcombineskeyhomelessservingprogramsandcontractsfromtheDepartmentofPublicHealth,theHumanServicesAgency,theMayor’sOfficeofHousingandCommunityDevelopment,andtheDepartmentofChildrenYouthandTheirFamilies(DCYF).ThisconsolidateddepartmenthasasingularfocusonpreventingandendinghomelessnessforpeopleinSanFrancisco.
SaltLakeCity,UT–CoordinatedEntryandResourceCentersForthepasttwoyearsSaltLakeCityandSaltLakeCountyhavebeeninvolvedinaCollectiveImpactprocesswhichhasresultedinnumerouschangestoourhomelessservicessystem.Thisincludesimprovingthecoordinatedentryprocessandtheplanneddevelopmentofadditionalresourcescentersforindividualsandfamiliesexperiencinghomelessness.Theadditionalresourcecentersincludetwonewrehabfacilitiesforthoseexperiencinghomelessness,oneforsinglemenandtheotherforwomenwithchildren.Eachofthesefacilitieswillserve70-90individuals.Italsoincludesadditionalemergencyshelterstoservedistinctsubpopulations.Thisisimportantduetothefactthatcurrentsheltersareoperatingneartheircapacity.TheCityisalsoworkingdiligentlyonincreasingtheaffordablehousingstockinthecommunity,includingpermanentsupportivehousingforthemostvulnerableofourresidents.
SaltLakeCity,UT-DiversionAnewprogramthathasbeenverysuccessfulistheDivisionprogramthatbeganoperatingapproximatelyoneyearago.TheprogramisrunbytheSaltLakeCommunityActionProgram.TheyarecurrentlyoperatingoutofTheRoadHomeFamilyShelter.Theprogramhassuccessfullydiverted164outof347familiesassessed,givingita47percentsuccessrate.Thisprogramhassignificantlyreducedtheburdenonthefamilyshelterallowingstaffandcasemanagerstofocusontheclientswhodonothavethesocialresourcesfordiversion.SaltLakeCAPisnowintheprocessofhiringtwonewdiversionspecialiststoexpandtheprogramtoworkwithTheRoadHomeCommunityShelterforsingleadults.Thisexpansionoftheprogramshouldfurtherreducetheneedforemergencyshelterinthecommunityandhelpwiththecapacityissueswhilethenewemergencysheltersarebeingcreated.
Seattle,WA–CreateaFrameworkforImprovingtheEffectivenessandEfficiencyoftheSystemAddressinghomelessnesshasbeenacentraltenetofMayorMurray’sadministrationsincetakingofficein2014.ThePathwaysHomeInitiative,developedbytheSeattleHumanServicesDepartmentinresponsetofindingsandrecommendationsfromFocusStrategiesandBarbaraPoppeandAssociates,providesacomprehensiveunderstandingofSeattle’shomelessnesssystem.ItlaysaframeworkthattheCitymustimplementtoreduceunshelteredhomelessness11Includedtextdescribingtheexemplaryprogramsincitiesispulleddirectlyfromsurveyresponses.Itiseditedonlyforlengthandstyle.
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andincreasethespeedandtheefficiencyinwhichpeoplemovefromhomelessnesstopermanenthousing.Thesegoalscanbeaccomplishedby:
• Expandingfundingforprogramapproachesthataremosteffectiveatexitingpeoplefromhomelessness,suchasdiversion,rapidre-hiringandpermanentsupportivehousing.
• Prioritizingshelterandhousingaccessforpeoplelivingunshelteredandpeoplewhohavethelongesthistoriesofhomelessness.
• Orientingallaspectsofthehomelessresponsesystemtowardexitstopermanenthousing.• Workingtogetherurgentlyandboldlytoimplementmeaningfulsolutions.
Eachoftheserecommendationsincludesmanyactions,whichrepresentacriticalelementofSeattle’sabilitytoimplementsystemimprovementsandmoveusclosertothegoalofhousingasmanypeopleexperiencinghomelessnessasquicklyaspossible.
Investmentprinciplesincludecreatingaperson-centeredresponsetohomelessness,investinginmodelswithdemonstratedsuccess,andaddressingracialdisparities.Priorityactionsincludecommitmenttofamilieslivingunsheltered,expanding24–hourshelteroptions,activelysolvingwaitlists,connectingpeopletoservices,makingrentalunitsaccessible,andensuringgoodgovernmentandperformance.
EndChronicHomelessness
Chicago,IL–ChronicHomelessnessPilotInthespringof2016,MayorEmmanuellaunchedanInteragencyHomelessnessTaskForcetofocusoncoordinationofhomelessservicesacrossallagenciestoimprovedeliveryandreducehomelessnessofindividualsandfamilies.Aspartofthefocusonprovidinghousingandservicestochronicallyhomelessresidents,theTaskForce,undertheleadershipoftheDepartmentofFamilySupportServices,andusingEndingVeteranHomelessnessInitiativelessonslearned,launchedaChronicHomelessnessPilotprogram.OnApril5thand6th,aspartofthepilotprograminpartnershipwithotheragencies,conductedatwodayassessmentofWilson,Lawrence,FosterandIrvingParkviaductswhicharelocatedunderLakeShoreDriveontheNorthsideoftheCity.Assessmentswereconductedtogetabetterideaofhowmanypeoplewerelivinginthoseareasandtofindoutwhattheirspecificneedswere.Fromtheseassessments,aninitiallistof75chronicallyhomelessresidentswascreated.Withtheassistancefrompartneragencies,implementationofcoordinatedoutreachandhousingmatchstrategywithserviceproviders,thehousingprocessiscurrentlyinprogress.AsofOctober17,2016thepilothoused43formerlyhomelessresidents.Thirteenadditionalpilotparticipantshaveself-resolvedandarenotcurrentlyinneedofhousing.
SantaBarbara,CA–CoordinatedOutreachTeamTheCentralCoastCollaborativeonHomelessnessinpartnershipwiththeHousingAuthorityoftheCityofSantaBarbara,shelterproviders,CountyPublicHealth,CountyBehavioralWellness,CountySocialServices,businessleaders,lawenforcement,andvolunteersfacilitatesaweeklyCoordinatedOutreachTeamthatfocusesonaHousingFirstsolutiontochronichomelessness.Overthelasttwoyears,thisgrouphashoused21people,andcontinuestocasemanage20(11ofwhomarecurrentlyhoused).
Theprogramconsistsofdailyinteractionswiththeidentifiedclients,offeringthemthenextsteptowardtheirplacementinpermanentsupporthousing:medicalcare,helpwithIDsandpaperwork,housingapplications,traveltoappointments,showeringandcleaningupforinterviews,employmentassistance,alcoholanddrugtreatment,andahostofotherservices.
Clientsareidentifiedthroughaconsensusprocessutilizingthefollowingcriteria–theymustscorehighonvulnerabilityusingtheVulnerabilityIndexandServicePrioritizationandDecisionTool(VISPDAT);theymusthavepresentedproblemsforbusinessownersonStateStreetorMilpasStreet;theymusthaveanoveruseofemergencyservices;and,theymustbechronicallyhomeless.
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EndVeteranHomelessness
DesMoines,IA–Mayor’sChallengetoEndVeteranHomelessnessIn2013,theU.S.ConferenceofMayorsreneweditsresolvetopreventandendhomelessnessamongveteransby2015.Inlate2014,withtheclocktickingtowardthetargetdatetoendVeteranhomelessness,FirstLadyMichelleObamaissuesherownchallengetomembersoftheU.S.ConferenceofMayorstoendVeteranhomelessnessintheircities.DesMoineswasoneofthefirsttosignontheChallenge.
FollowingprioritiesidentifiedinOpeningDoors:FederalStrategicPlantoPreventandEndHomelessness,ahighlycollaborativeandexperiencedteamoflocalproviders,advocates,researchers,dataanalysts,andtechnicaladvisorsdevotedtoendingVeteranhomelessnesswasquicklyassembled.GuidedbysharingandanalyzingdatacollectedthroughtheHomelessManagementInformationSystem(HMIS),theVeteranresponseteamsetgoalsandperformancemeasures,anddevelopedevidenced-informedstrategiesdesignedtoquicklyreturnVeteransandtheirfamiliestostablehousing.
Overthecourseof14months,theChallengeteammettwiceamonthwithsessionsoftenlastingthreehoursormore.Coretotheworkwasanup-to-datelistofallknownVeteransexperiencinghomelessnessinDesMoines,asgeneratedthroughthehomelessmanagementinformationsystem.TheHMISdatareportshelpedprovideafundamentalunderstandingoftheindividualcircumstancesofVeteransbeingserved,whilealsomeasuringtheirprogressandsuccess.Ateachmeeting,HMISdatawasbrokenoutfromthedateoftheoriginalcountofVeteransexperiencinghomelessnessandsincethelastsession.TheteamwasabletoquicklyassesshowmanyVeteranshadexitedhomelessness,howmanyhadnewlyenteredthesystem,andifanyhadreturned.ThedataalsoprovidedinformationabouthowlongtheVeteranhadbeenhomelessandthelengthoftimeittooktoplacehimorherintohousing.ThestatusofeachVeteranwasdiscussedandaserviceplanandfollowupactionssetinplace.Ateachmeetingthatfollowed,theupdatedlistwasreviewedandtheprocesscontinued.
Thisstrategyandcommitment,combinedwithsubstantialhousingassistanceandvouchersfromtheVeteransAdministration,broughtthecollectiveresourcesofthecommunitytobearinendinghomelessnessamongVeteransinDesMoines/PolkCounty,Iowa.Intotal,388Veteransandtheirfamilieswereplacedintopermanenthousing.OnFebruary25,2016,MayorFrankCowniereceivedconfirmationthatDesMoinesandPolkCounty“haveeffectivelyendedhomelessnessamongVeterans.”Atthattime,theCitywasoneofjusteighteencommunitiesorstatestohaveachievedthisgoal.
IthasbeensuggestedthatalogicalnextsteptoaddresshomelessnessinDesMoinesandotherIowacitiesistoquantifytheresourcesthatwouldberequiredtoreplicatetheprojectforothersub-populationsofpersonswhoareexperiencinghomelessness,suchasyouthandfamilies.ThesuccessesdemonstratedinDesMoinescertainlyprovideatemplatebywhichtobeginthisprocess.
Nashville,TN–LowBarrierAffordableHousingWhisperingOaksApartmentcomplexisanexemplaryprogramunderwayinNashvillethatpreventsandrespondstotheproblemsofhomelessness.Thecomplexcurrentlyhousesover60homelessVeterans,3timesasmanyasanyotherapartmentcomplexinNashville.Theyproviderecoverygroupmeetingrooms,officesforVAsocialworkersandavailableassistancetoanyhomelessVeteranreferred.Theyhaveahighlyskilledprofessionalstaffwithano-nonsenseapproach.HomelessVeteransknowwhattoexpectwhentheyareacceptedintheWhisperingOakscommunity.DavidsonCountylacksanyotheragencythatprovidesthislevelofaccesstoaffordablehousing,lowbarrierplacement,excellentunits,location,transportation,&VAcoordination.ThiscommitmenttoendingHomelessnessamongVeteransis,accordingtoaVAstaffmember,“secondtononeintheNation”.
SanAntonio,TX–Mayor’sChallengetoEndVeteranHomelessnessInJanuaryof2015,MayorTaylorpledgedhercommitmenttotheMayorsChallengetoEndVeteranHomelessness
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WhiteHouseInitiative.OnMay6,2016,theCityreceivedconfirmationthatiteffectivelyEndedVeteranHomelessnessinSanAntonio.
LedbytheDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS),thismilestonewasachievedthroughtheworkoftheHomelessVeteransCommunityCollaborativeacross-sectorgroupofpartnersincludingtheVeteransAdministration,SouthAlamoRegionalAlliancefortheHomeless(SARAH),AmericanG.I.Forum,FamilyEndeavors,HavenforHope,SAMMinistries,andUSAA.TheCollaborativeimplementedasystemthatcontinuestopreventVeteranhomelessnesswheneverpossibleorensuresitisrare,brief,andnon-recurring.
ThroughparticipationintheMayorsChallenge,SanAntonio'shomelesssystemhasundergonedramaticsystemschange.Additionally,communityawarenessofhomelessnesshasincreasedtremendouslyalongwithcommitmenttoendinghomelessness.DHScontinuestoleadtheinitiativeandconvenepartnersbi-weeklytoreviewongoingcasesandupdateour"byname"listofhomelessVeterans.Throughthiseffort,SARAHacceleratedimplementationoftheHomelessCoordinatedEntrySystem,whichensuresthosewiththegreatestneedsareprioritizedforservices.CoordinatedEntryandVeteranhomelessnesssystemsareworkingandSanAntoniocontinuestoachievethefederalbenchmarksestablishedbyUSICHforeffectivelyendingVeteranhomelessness.
Washington,DC–HousingVulnerableHomelessVeteransTheDepartmentofHumanServicesalsofundsauniqueandexceptionallocallyfundedVeteransPSHprogramthatprovideshousingforhomelessVeteransandwhootherwisenotbeeligibleforaVeteranAffairsSupportiveHousing(VASH)voucher.Veteranseligibleforthisprogramincludethosewhohavebeendishonorablydischarged,intheReserves,ordonothaveanextensivelengthofservicehistory.Theagencystaffsin-housecasemanagerstosupporttheclientsbyprovidingwrap-aroundservicesandindividualcasemanagement.TheLocalVeteransProgramhashousedover150Veterans.EndYouthHomelessnessPhiladelphia,PA–EnergizingaMovementtoEndYouthHomelessnessPhiladelphiahascultivatedanactiveYouthCoalition,comprisedofyouthserviceproviders,governmententitiesliketheSchoolDistrictandOfficeofHomelessServices,communitystakeholders,philanthropy,andyoungpeoplewithlivedexperience.Threeyearsago,theCityrequestedastrengthenedcollaborationwithyouthservingnonprofits,withthefirstgoaltoobtainamoreaccurateandagreed-collaborationuponcountofyoungadultsexperiencinghomelessnessandhousinginsecurity.TheCoalitiondevelopedPhiladelphia’syouthpoint-in-timecount,conductedquarterly,togatherinformationabouttheextentofyouthhomelessnessinourcity,thedemographicsofyoungpeopleexperiencinghomelessness,andinformationaboutthefactorsthatleadtotheirhomelessness.
TheYouthCoalitionadvocatesforimprovedcross-systemcollaboration;increasedresourcesdedicatedtoservingyouthexperiencinghomelessness;thedevelopmentofsystem-widepoliciestopreventyouthfromexitinginstitutionalsettings,suchaschildwelfareandjuvenilejusticesystem,tohomelessness;anddevelopingaculturallycompetent,inclusivesystemofcareforyoungpeoplebyadoptingevidencebasedpractices,suchasPositiveYouthDevelopment,andtrainingstaffonspecificyouthpopulations,suchasLGBTQyouth.YouthservingprovidersandyoungpeoplewithlivedexperienceadvocatedforaCityCouncilhearinginApril2016dedicatedtotheneedsofyouthandhousing,whichresultedinanewCitycommitmentoffundingforyouthprograms.
YouthCoalitionmembersplayaleadingroleinPhiladelphia’s100DayChallengetoendYouthHomelessness,launchedinJune2016withtheRapidResultsInstitutemodel,aheadofAWayHomeAmerica’s100Daylaunch.Philadelphia’s100DayChallengeTeamhassetaudacious100Daygoals,andiscatalyzingtheadoptionofdata-sharingagreementsbetweenandamongmajorstakeholdersinthecityandpilotingoftheTAY-VISPDATassessmenttoolforPhiladelphia’sCoordinatedEntityandAssessmentBasedHousingReferralSystem.AmajoraccomplishmentoftheYouthCoalitionhasbeenbreakingdownbarriersandsilosbetweenandamongprivateandpublicyouth-servingentitiesintheCity.
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EndUnshelteredHomelessnessSanFrancisco,CA–EncampmentResolutionTeamsSanFrancisco,likemanycommunitiesalongthewestcoast,hasseenasignificantincreaseinhomelessnessencampments.InresponsestothecrisisonourstreetstheDepartmentofHomelessnessandSupportiveHousingbegananEncampmentResolutionTeam(ERT).ThepurposeoftheERTistoofferacoordinated,consistent,andstrategicapproachtoaddressingencampmentsacrossSanFrancisco.Participatingcitydepartmentsinclude:theDepartmentofHomelessnessandSupportiveHousing,theDepartmentofPublicHealth,PublicWorks,thePoliceDepartmentandothers.TheERTwillworkwitharangeofCitydepartmentstocollaborateonoutreach,services,clean-up,andresolutionofencampments.Aparticularfocuswillbeonensuringthatthemostvulnerablemembersofacampareconnectedwiththeservicestheyneedtoendtheirhomelessness.
TheERTwillfollowthestandardsestablishedbyourfederalgovernmentpartnersattheUSInteragencyCouncilonHomelessnesswhichinclude:
• Preparewithadequatetimeforplanningandimplementation• Collaborateacrosssectorsandsystems• Performintensiveandpersistentoutreachandengagement• Providelow-barrierpathwaystoshelter,servicesandhousing
Overthecourseofamulti-weekengagementprocesspeoplelivinginthecampsareassessedandofferedopportunitiestomoveoffthestreetsandintosaferlocations.Todatethreeencampmentshavebeenaddressedunderthismodel.Throughthisapproachapproximately75peoplewhowerelivinginencampmentsandweredisconnectedfromservices,haveabletoaccessshelters,navigationcenters,orotherresidentialprograms.
ConnectIndividualsandFamiliestoHousingandServices
Charleston,SC–HousingandServicesforPeoplewithDisabilitiesTheShelter+Care(S+C)ProgramisaU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentfundedprogram.Thegoaloftheprogramistohelpdisabledpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessachieveself-sufficiencythroughthefollowing:
• ResidentialStability:• IncreasedSkillLeveland/orIncome• GreaterSelf-Determination
AstheS+CgranteethroughLHC,theCityofCharleston’sDHCDisresponsiblefortheoveralladministrationofS+Cgrantfundsandtheprojectitself.TheyoversighttheGrantAgreementandtheAmendmenttotheGrantAgreementexecuted,bytheCityofCharlestonandtheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment,whichincludesthefiscaloversightofallgrantfunds.CityofCharlestonconstructionstaffalsoinspectstheapartmentsrentedbytheclientpriortooccupancytoensuretheapartmentsaresafe,decentandmeettheHousingQualityStandards.TheCharlestonDorchesterMentalHealthCenter(CDMHC)iscommittedtoprovidingmentalhealthservicestotheresidentsofCharleston,BerkeleyandDorchesterCounties.Theyprovideoutpatientcounseling,psychiatrictreatmentandsupportservicesforadultsandchildrenregardlessofaperson’sabilitypay.CDMHC,asthe“SupportiveServicesProvider”fortheS+Cprogram,isthepointoforiginforallprogramparticipants.CDMHC,willidentifyclientswhoaredisabledalongwithbeinghomelessforreferraltoOriginforplacementinhousing.OriginSC(formerlyknownasFamilyServices,Inc.)isaleadingnon-profithumanserviceorganization,providingprofessionalfinancialandhousingcounselingservices.Theyprovidequalityadvocacy,counselingandeducationtoindividualsandfamiliesintheCharlestonTri-Countyarea.Theirmissionistoempowerindividualstoachievefinancialandhousingstabilitythroughadvocacy,counselingandeducation.Asthe“Contractor”Origin’sroleintheS+CistoplaceindividualsorfamiliesinpermanenthousingwhohavebeenreferredbyCDMHC.Origin’simplementsthefollowingstrategiesfortheS+Cgrant:
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• Receivingnewparticipantsintotheprogram• Providinghousinginformationandsearchassistance• Determiningparticipantincomeandrentcontributions• Processinghousingassistancepaymentstolandlords• Payrollexpensesrelatedtotheallowableadministrativeactivities• Operatingexpensesforadministeringtherentalassistance
Additionally,OriginmanagesclientfundingthroughRepresentativePayeeProgram(RPP).TheRPPinsuresthattheindividualshaveaplacetolive,haveutilitiesandisreceivingallofthebenefitsthateachpersonisentitledtoreceive.Overthelastfiveyears,thepartnershiphasassistedthirty(30)householdsforfamilies.
Nashville,TN–FamilyEmpowermentProgramSafeHavenhasbeenpartneringwithCatholicCharitiesandthelocalUnitedWay2.5yearsonacollaborativeprogramcalltheFamilyEmpowermentProgram,anevidence-basedcasemanagementmodelfundedinpartbytheSiemerInstituteforFamilyStability.Servicesareofferedtoboththeliterallyhomeless(HUDdefinition)andfamilieswhomeetthebroaderU.S.DepartmentofEducation’sdefinitionofhomeless.Thusfar,theyhaveservednearly250families,housedover175familiesandprevented20familiesfrombecominghomeless.Alongwithanarrayofotherlocalproviders,theseserviceagenciesplayanactiveroleinthedevelopingafoundationforCoordinatedEntrySysteminNashville–acriticalshiftthatwillmovethecityfromadisjointedresponsetohomelessnesstoacollaborative,system-levelapproach.Dataonfamiliesservedisenteredregularlyintothecity’sHomelessManagementinformationSystem(HMIS).
Nashville,TN–OutreachandEngagementVanderbiltandParkCenterarecollaboratingontheStreetPsychiatryProgram.EachWednesday,outreachworkersandSOARcoordinatorsfromParkCenterjoinwithpsychiatristsfromVanderbilttoprovideservicestoindividualsexperiencinghomelessnesswherevertheyare–inencampments,alleyways,underbridges,onstreetcorners.Servicesincludeacutewoundcare,crisisresolution,medicationmanagement(withamobilepharmacythroughVanderbilt),psychotherapy,housingnavigation,connectiontobasicneeds&assistancenavigatingtheapprovalprocessfordisabilitybenefits.Theprogramhasfundingtoadministeroutreachsuppliesincludingtents,sleepingbags,socks,hygieneproducts,clothing&medicalsupplieslikebandages,ointments,dentalhygieneproducts,glucometersandnutritionalsupplements.Asaresult,homelessindividualsaredivertedfromlocalemergencyrooms,offeredfollow-upcareiftheyarerecentlydischargedfromhospitalsorERs,andconnectedtoresourcesleadingtostability,includingpermanenthousing.
St.Paul,MN–AdequateShelterandConnectionstoHousingThenewDorothyDayCenterHigherGroundisanexemplaryfacilitythatrespondstotheneedsofhomelessresidentslivingindowntownSaintPaul.
InresponsetotheconstantovercrowdingattheexistingDorothyDayCenter–theCity’sadultemergencyshelterindowntownSaintPaul,MayorColemancreatedaCommunityTaskForcetoevaluatetheneedsofhomelessresidentsattheDorothyDayCenterwithrecommendationsforamorepermanentcommunitysolution.Colemansaid“Wewanttobeacommunitythattreatspeopleexperiencinghomelessnesswithrespectandgivesthemthesupporttheyneedtobesuccessful.”
AsaresultofthesecommunitydiscussionsandtheherculeanworkbyCatholicCharities,theDorothyDayCenterHigherGroundisa$40millionhousingprojectthatwillsoonopenforoccupancy.TheDorothyDayCenterPhaseIwillprovideanewemergencyshelter,pay-for-stayhousing,respitemedicalcarehousing,and193permanentsupportivehousingunitsindowntownSaintPaul–usingthe“HigherGround”housingmodelwhichempowersSt.Paulhomelessresidentstomovefromhomelessnessintopermanentstability.Tofurtherachievethisgoal,teammembersofCermakRhoadesArchitectsvolunteeredattheexistingDorothyDayCentertounderstandtheneedsandpreferencesofhomelessSaintPaulresidentsbeforedesigningthenewfacility.
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Mostimportantly,DorothyDayCenterHigherGroundisbuiltwithamajorfinancialcommitmentof$25millionfromtheStateofMinnesotaandprivatefinancialsupportfromlocalbusinessleadersandlocalfoundations.Together,“the[StateofMinnesota]investmentbeingmadehereinSaintPaulwillhelpensurethedignityofallpeoplethroughnewandimprovedshelters,preservationofexistinghousingandconstructionofnewaffordablehousingopportunitiesallofwhicharevitaltothecity’sfuturegrowthandsuccess,”saidMayorChrisColemaninastatement.TimMarx,CEOandpresidentofCatholicCharitiesofSt.PaulandMinneapolisalsosaid“Sometimeswewanttobeshyandtimid,andnotthinkbig.”Marxcontinues“Inthiseffort,intheheartofSt.Paul,weputallofourheartsandmindsandsoulsintoit.Andwehopetoinspireotherstodothingstheymightnototherwisedo.”DuringMay2016,CatholicCharitiesannouncedthatmorethan75percentoftheprivatefundraisinggoalhasbeensecuredforthenewvisionfortheDorothyDayCenterinSaintPaul.Contingentuponsecuringallnecessaryfinancing,CatholicCharitieswillalsodeveloptheDorothyDayCenterPhase2whichwillincludetheSaintPaulOpportunityCenterandtheDorothyDayResidence.Together,thenewvisionoftheDorothyDayCenter(Phase1andPhase2)maybethelargestpublic-privatesocial-servicespartnershipinMinnesotahistory.Withsuchbroadsupportandfundingfrombothpublicandprivatesources,thenewDorothyDayCenterwillprovidedignifiedshelter,permanentsupportivehousing,andpathwaysoutofpoverty–atrulytransformationalproject.
Washington,DC–IncreasingPermanentSupportiveHousingCapacityTheDistrictofColumbiaDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)isusinganinnovativeandcollaborativeapproachinthePermanentSupportiveHousingProgram(PSH).Sincetheinceptionoftheprogramin2008,theagencyhashousedandprovidedcasemanagementtoover2,000individualsandfamilies.Tocontinuetheseefforts,theDepartmentofHumanServiceshasbeenallocatedmorefundingtocontractadditionalcasemanagementprovidersandhasreceivedanincreaseofhousingvouchers.
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AppendixA:MethodologyDatareportedtotheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandsurveyresultsfrommayorswhoserveontheU.S.ConferenceofMayors’TaskForceonHungerandHomelessnessareusedinthisreport.
HomelessnessinU.S.Cities
Atotalof32citiesin24stateswereincludedfortheanalysisofhomelessnessinU.S.cities.ThesecitiesrepresentallcitieswhosegeographyalignswiththeirrespectiveContinuumofCare(CoC),thelocalorregionalentitythatcoordinatesservicesandfundingforhomelessprograms,aswellascitieswhichhaveapopulation(asofJuly1,2015)thatrepresentsatleast75percentofthetotalpopulationintheCoCgeography.PortlandandGresham,OregonarelocatedinthesameCoCandarebothincludedinthesampleasPortlandcomprises80percentoftheCoCpopulation.SomecitiesmeetingthiscriteriawereexcludedonthebasisofnotbeingpartoftheU.S.ConferenceofMayorsorbyrequest.TheCityofLosAngelesdoesnotrepresentmorethan75percentofLosAngelesCounty(theCoCgeography),butisincludedbecausedataisavailableatthecitylevel.
MapA.1CitiesincludedintheReportSample
Dataonhomelessnessoverallandbysubpopulationarebasedonannualpoint-in-time(PIT)countsconductedbyCoCs.DataonhomelessassistanceunitinventoriesarebasedonannualHousingInventoryChartsubmissionsbyCoCsforthesamenightasthePITcount.NationalnumbersexcludePuertoRico,VirginIslands,andGuam.
WhereCoCandcitygeographyaligns,populationdatareflectsthecitypopulationasofJuly1,2015,pertheU.S.CensusBureau’sAnnualEstimatesoftheResidentPopulationforIncorporatedPlacesof50,000orMore,RankedbyJuly1,2015Population:April1,2010toJuly1,2015.WheretheCoCgeographyalignswiththecounty,populationdatareflectsthecountypopulationasofJuly1,2015,pertheU.S.CensusBureau’sAnnualEstimatesoftheResidentPopulationforCounties:April1,2010toJuly1,2015.Populationsrangefrom66,881inPortland,MEto8,550,405inNewYorkCity,withanaveragepopulationof1,086,238andmedianof674,471.
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Priorto2013,AtlantawaspartofabroaderCoCgeographyanddataonhomelessnessisnotavailableatthecitylevel;therefore,Atlantaisexcludedfromall2009figures.FortheCityofLosAngeles,dataisnotavailableforyouthexperiencinghomelessnessduringanyyearorforindividualsandpeopleinfamiliesin2009.Sixcities(Portland,OR;Gresham,OR;Albuquerque,NM;Baltimore,MD;LongBeach,CA;andSanFrancisco,CA)didnotconductapoint-in-timecountin2016andareexcludedfromanyanalysisregardingchangesbetween2015and2016.
HungerDataandAnalysis
OnlycitieswhosemayorsaremembersoftheConferenceofMayorsTaskForceonHungerandHomelessnesswereinvitedtosubmitinformationforthehungersectionandtwoquestionsonhomelessness.ThesecitiesdonotconstitutearepresentativesampleofU.S.cities,andthedatareportedreflectonlytheexperienceofthecitiesrespondingtothesurvey.Thisreport,therefore,shouldnotbeinterpretedasanationalreportonhungerorhomelessness.Forafulllistingofcitedcitiesandtheirmayors,seeAppendixC.
TheTaskForcecitiesincludedinthesurveyvarygreatlyinsizeandintheirapproachtocollectingdataonHunger.
Citieswereaskedtoprovideinformationonthedatasourcestheyusedtoanswereachquestionandanyclarifyinginformationthatwouldaiddataanalysis.Ofthecitiesrespondingtothisyear’ssurvey,someleftindividualquestionsonthesurveyunanswered.Incalculatingsurveyresultsforanindividualsurveyquestion,countsandpercentagesarebasedonthenumberofcitiesansweringthatquestion.
Alistofcontactsforeachcity’shungerstaffpersonisprovidedinAppendixE.Thesecontactsareavailabletoprovidemoreinformationoneachcity’sdataanditsapproachtoalleviatinghunger.
Additionally,thefullresultsofthehungerportionofthesurveysisprovidedinAppendixB.ThisYear’shungersurveyinstrumentisfoundinAppendixD.AlistofallthepastreportsisfoundinAppendixF.
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AppendixB:CityDataOnHunger
PoundsofFoodDistributedoverthePastYear
City Poundsoffood Increase/Decrease/StaytheSame PercentChange
Charleston,SC 2976897 Increase 5%Chicago 70042934 Increase 3%Cleveland 44270979 Increase 6%Dallas 58434886 Increase 5%DesMoines 3169359 Increase 11%DistrictofColumbia 14992142 Increase 2%LosAngeles 62900000 Increase 6%Nashville 7686782 Increase 6%Norfolk 18075041 Decrease -6%Philadelphia 26975415 Increase 9%Providence 4079234 Increase 3%SaintPaul 92400000 Increase 3%SaltLakeCity 9093112 Increase 4%SanAntonio 59000000 Increase 6%SanFrancisco 42032059 Increase 5%SantaBarbara 10300000 Increase 6%Seattle 13981000 Increase 15%
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BudgetforEmergencyFoodAssistanceoverthePastyear
City TotalBudget Increase/Decrease/StaytheSame PercentChangeCharleston $253,009 Increase 13%
Chicago $12,626,063 Staythesame N/ACleveland $20,790,858 Increase 7%Dallas $128,328,138 Increase 7%DesMoines $2,171,964 Increase 22%DistrictofColumbia $23,860,923 Increase 8%LosAngeles $17,000,000 Staythesame N/ANashville $1,800,000 Increase 6%Norfolk $6,200,000 Staythesame N/APhiladelphia $3,427,056 Increase 12%Providence $2,717,195 Increase 14%SaintPaul $129,272,000 Decrease -1%SaltLakeCity N/A N/A N/ASanAntonio $123,801,792 Increase 4%SanFrancisco $13,715,146 Increase 9%SantaBarbara $4,000,000 Decrease 7%Seattle $3,057,000 N/A 2%
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SourceofFoodDistributedbyPercent
City Federal Donations Donations Purchased Other Emergency From Grocery Store From Food Food Assistance Chains/ Other Food Supplies Individuals
Charleston 14% 44% 3% 6% 33%
Chicago 28% 44% 1% 27% N/A Cleveland 20% 43% 4% 11% 22% Dallas 24% 64% 3% 9% N/A Des Moines 9% 13% 13% 66% N/A District of Columbia 19% 61% 7% 13% 0% Los Angeles 38% 58% 1% 3% N/A Nashville 11% 68% 6% 15% NA Norfolk .05% 65% 5.4% 9.5% 20.05% Philadelphia 26% 21% 6% 47% N/A Providence 10% 50% 5% 35% N/A Saint Paul 2% 78% 12% 7% 3% Salt Lake City 17% 74% 5% 4% N/A San Antonio 10% 81% 2% 7% N/A San Francisco 16% 17% 1% 8% 58% Santa Barbara 15% 55% 5% 20% 5% Seattle 20% 72% 1% 8% 0%
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NumberofRequestforEmergencyFoodAssistance
City Increased /Decreased /Stayed the Same Percent Change
Charleston Increased 6% Chicago Stayed the same N/A Cleveland Stayed the same N/A Dallas Stayed the same N/A Des Moines Increased 15% District of Columbia N/A N/A Los Angeles Decreased -9% Nashville Stayed the same N/A Norfolk Decreased -7% Philadelphia Increased 2% Providence Increased 10% Saint Paul Increased 7% Salt Lake City Stayed the same N/A San Antonio Decreased -6% San Francisco Increased 3% Santa Barbara Increased 3% Seattle Stayed the same N/A
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PersonsRequestingFoodAssistancebyCategory
City PercentInFamilies PercentElderly PercentEmployed PercentHomeless
Charleston 69% 19% 31% 10% Chicago 78% 18% 39% 9% Cleveland 58% 24% N/A N/A Dallas N/A N/A N/A N/A DesMoines 65% 10% 75% 1% DistrictofColumbia N/A N/A N/A N/A LosAngeles N/A N/A N/A N/A Nashville 70% 20% 40% 6% Norfolk N/A 10% N/A N/A Philadelphia 75% 11% 60% 20% Providence N/A N/A N/A N/A SaintPaul 37% 9% 68% 3% SaltLakeCity 76% 7% 57% 8% SanAntonio 67% 11% N/A N/A SanFrancisco 28% 47% N/A N/A SantaBarbara 70% 15% 40% 8% Seattle 62% 38% N/A N/A
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APPENDIXC:CitiesCitedintheSurveyCITY MAYOR
Albuquerque,NM MayorRichardJ.Berry
Alexandria,VA MayorMayorAllisonSilberberg
Augusta,GA MayorHardieDavis,Jr.
Austin,TX MayorSteveAdler
Baltimore,MD MayorCatherineE.Pugh
Cambridge,MA MayorE.DeniseSimmons
Charleston,SC MayorJohnJ.Tecklenburg
Charlotte,NC MayorJenniferW.Roberts
Chicago,IL MayorRahmEmanuel
Cleveland,OH MayorFrankG.Jackson
Dallas,TX MayorMichaelS.Rawlings
DesMoines,IA MayorT.M.Franklin'Frank'Cownie
Detroit,MI MayorMikeDuggan
DistrictofColumbia MayorMurielBowser
Durham,NC MayorWilliamV."Bill"Bell
ElPaso,TX MayorOscarLeeser
Gresham,OR MayorShaneT.Bemis
Indianapolis,IN MayorJoeHogsett
Lincoln,NE MayorChrisBeutler
LongBeach,CA MayorRobertGarcia
LosAngeles,CA MayorEricGarcetti
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Louisville,KY MayorGregFischer
Nashville,TN MayorMeganBarry
Norfolk,VA MayorKennethCooperAlexander
OklahomaCity,OK MayorMickCornett
Pasadena,CA MayorTerryTornek
Philadelphia,PA MayorJimKenney
Portland,OR MayorCharlieHales
Portland,ME MayorEthanK.Strimling
Providence,RI MayorJorgeO.Elorza
St.Paul,MN MayorChristopherB.'Chris'Coleman
SaltLakeCity,UT MayorJackieBiskupski
SanAntonio,TX MayorIvyR.Taylor
SanFrancisco,CA MayorEdwinM.Lee
SantaBarbara,CA MayorHeleneSchneider
Seattle,WA MayorEdMurray
StLouis,MO MayorFrancisG.Slay
WichitaKS MayorJeffLongwell
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AppendixD:SurveyInstrument
TheU.S.ConferenceofMayors2016StatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessSurveyInstrumentThedeadlinetosubmitinformationisThursday,November10,2016CITY:____________________________
Contactinformationfortheperson(s)whocananswerquestionsaboutthedatasubmittedinthissurvey:
HungerContactPerson HomelessnessContactPerson
Name:
Title:
Agency:
Address:
PhoneNumber:
FaxNumber:
EmailAddress:
PartI:HomelessAssistance
TheyearcoveredbythissurveyisSeptember1,2015-August31,2016.Ifyoudonothavedataforthis12-monthperiod,what12-monthperiodareyoureportingon?_______________________
1.WhatarethetopTHREEthingsyourcityneedstohelpreducehomelessness?
____Morepermanentsupportivehousingforpersonswithdisabilities
____Moremainstreamassistedhousing(e.g.,HousingChoiceVouchers)
____Bettercoordinationwithmentalhealthserviceproviders
____Moresubstanceabuseservices
____Moreemploymenttrainingprograms
____Moreorbetterpayingemploymentopportunities
____OtherIfother,pleasespecify.
2.Pleaseprovideabriefdescription(250-500words)ofanexemplaryprogramoreffortunderwayinyourcitythatpreventsorrespondstotheproblemsofhomelessness.
PARTII:HUNGER
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Thefollowingquestionsareaddressedtotheprimarysupplierofemergencyfoodassistanceinyourcity.Inmostcasesthiswillbethefoodbankthatsuppliesfoodpantriesandemergencykitchensinyourcity.Iftherearemultiplecentraldistributorsofemergencyfoodassistanceinyourarea,pleasedistributethesesurveyquestionstoeachofthemandcollatetheresults.
TheyearcoveredbythissurveyisSeptember1,2015-August31,2016.Ifyoudonothavedataforthis12-monthperiod,what12-monthperiodareyoureportingon?________________________
PersonsReceivingEmergencyFoodAssistance
1.Hasthetotalnumberofrequestsforemergencyfoodassistanceinyourcityorcounty___increased,___decreased,or___stayedthesameduringthelastyear?
a)Ifincreasedordecreased,bywhatpercent?(Ifreportingadecrease,pleaseputaminussignbeforethenumber.)_____
2.Ifinformationisavailable:Whatpercentofrequestsforemergencyfoodassistancecamefrompersonsinthefollowingcategories?(NOTE:Thecategoriesarenotmutuallyexclusiveandthesamepersoncanbeincludedinmorethanonegroup.)
a.Personsinfamilies____
b.Elderlypersons____
c.Personswhoareemployed____
d.Personswhoarehomeless____
3.Overthelastyear,hastherebeenanincreaseinthenumberofpersonsrequestingfoodassistanceforthefirsttime?____Yes____No
a.Ifyes,wouldyoucharacterizethisincreaseasmoderateorsubstantial?
____Moderate
____Substantial
4.Overthelastyear,hastherebeenanincreaseinthefrequencyofpersonsvisitingfoodpantriesand/oremergencykitchenseachmonth?____Yes____No
a.Ifyes,wouldyoucharacterizethisincreaseasmoderateorsubstantial?
____Moderate
____Substantial
UnmetNeedforEmergencyFoodAssistance
5.Overthelastyear,haveemergencykitchensand/orfoodpantrieshadtotakeanyofthefollowingactions?(Checkallthatapply)
____Turnadditionalpeopleawaybecauseoflackofresources
____Reducethequantityoffoodpersonscanreceiveateachfoodpantryvisitand/ortheamountoffoodofferedpermealatemergencykitchens
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____Reducethenumberoftimesapersonorfamilycanvisitafoodpantryeachmonth
6.Pleaseestimatethepercentageoftheoveralldemandforemergencyfoodassistanceinyourcitythatwasunmetoverthepastyear.(NOTE:Thisisthepercentageofallpersonsneedingassistancewhodidnotreceiveit.)____
CausesofHunger
7.WhataretheTHREEmaincausesofhungerinyourcity?
____Unemployment
____Lowwages
____Highhousingcosts
____Inadequatebenefits(e.g.,TANF,SSI)
____Medicalorhealthcosts
____Substanceabuse
____Utilitycosts
____LackofSNAPbenefits
____Lackofeducation
____Poverty
____OtherIfother,pleasespecify.
SupplyofEmergencyFood
8.Howmanypoundsoffooddidyoudistributeoverthelastyear?
Poundsoffood_________________
9.Didthetotalquantityoffooddistributed___increase,___decrease,or___staythesameoverthelastyear?
a)Ifincreasedordecreased,bywhatpercent?(Ifreportingadecrease,pleaseputaminussignbeforethenumber.)_______
10.Whatwasyourtotalbudgetforemergencyfoodassistancethisyear?(Pleaseincludebothprivateandpublic–federal,state,andlocal–funding.)______________________
11.Didyourtotalbudgetforemergencyfoodpurchases___increase,___decrease,or___staythesameoverthelastyear?
a)Ifincreasedordecreased,bywhatpercent?(Ifreportingadecrease,pleaseputaminussignbeforethenumber.)_______
12.Whatpercentageofthefoodyoudistributedcamefromthefollowingsources?(NOTE:Thesumofthefooddistributionbysourcemustequal100%)
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a.Federalemergencyfoodassistance_______
b.Donationsfromgrocerychains/otherfoodsuppliers_______
c.Donationsfromindividuals_______
d.Purchasedfood_______
e.Other______
13.Overthelastyear,haveyoumadeanysignificantchangestothetypesoffoodthatyoupurchase?
____Yes____No
a)Ifyes,pleaseexplain.
14.Whatdoyouexpectwillbeyourbiggestchallengeinaddressinghungerinyourareainthecomingyear?
PolicyandProgramsAddressingHunger
15.WhatarethetopTHREEthingsyourcityneedstohelpreducehunger?
____Substanceabuse/mentalhealthservices
____Employmenttrainingprograms
____Morejobs
____Utilityassistanceprograms
____Moreaffordablehousing
____IncreaseinSNAPbenefits
____Lowergasprices/betterpublictransportation
____OtherIfother,pleasespecify.
16.Pleaseprovideabriefdescription(250-500words)ofanexemplaryprogramoreffortunderwayinyourcitythatprevents,reduces,orotherwiserespondstotheproblemsofhunger.
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AppendixE:HungerandHomelessnessContactsbyCity
HungerContact HomelessnessContact
CHARLESTON,SOUTHCAROLINA
KellyKelleyGrantsManager LowcountryFoodBank 2864AzaleaDrive Charleston, SC 29405 [email protected]
AnthonyHaro ExecutiveDirector LowcountryHomelessCoalition POBox20038 Charleston,[email protected]
CHICAGO,ILLINOIS
LorrieWallsFiscalAdministrativeAssistantDirectorTheChicagoDepartmentofFamily&SupportServicesTheDivisionofPolicyAdvocacyandServicesGrants1615WestChicagoAve.Chicago,[email protected]
LorrieWallsFiscalAdministrativeAssistantDirectorTheChicagoDepartmentofFamily&SupportServicesTheDivisionofPolicyAdvocacyandServicesGrants1615WestChicagoAve.Chicago,[email protected]
CLEVELAND,OHIO
MaryO’SheaDirectorofAdvocacy&PublicEducationGreaterClevelandFoodbank15500SouthWaterlooRoadCleveland,[email protected]
RuthGillettProgramDirectorClevelandCuyahogaCountyofHomelessServices310W.LakesideSuite595Cleveland,[email protected]
DALLAS,TEXAS
RichardAmoryDirectorofStrategyNorthTexasFoodBank4500S.CockrellHillRd.Dallas,[email protected]
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HungerContact HomelessnessContact
DESMOINES,IOWA
RebeccaWhitlowFoodPantryDirectorDMARCFoodpantryNetwork1435MulberryStreetDesMoines,[email protected]
DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA
PaulaReichelDirectorofAdvocacy&NutritionEducationCapitalAreaFoodBank4900PuertoRicoAvenueNEWashington,[email protected]
DarrellCasonDeputyChiefofStaffDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)64NewYorkAve.,NEWashington,[email protected]
LOSANGELES,CALIFORNIA
MichaelFloodPresident,CEOLosAngelesRegionalFoodBank1734East41stStreetLosAngeles,[email protected]
NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE
KimMolnarChiefOperatingOfficerSecondHarvestFoodBankofMiddleTennessee331GreatCircleRoadNashville,[email protected]@secondharvestmidtn.org
SuzieTolmieHomelessCoordinatorMDHA701S6thStNashville,[email protected]@nashville-MDHA.org
NORFOLK,VIRGINIA
ReneeFigurelleChiefOperatingOfficerFoodbankofSoutheasternVirginiaandtheEasternShore800TidewaterDriveNorfolk,[email protected]
MichaelWasserbergDirector,OfficetoEndHomelessnessCityofNorfolk810UnionStreet,Suite401Norfolk,[email protected]
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HungerContact HomelessnessContact
PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA
LaurenWhitleigh,MSWContinuumCare(CoC)ProgramManagerCityofPhiladelphiaOfficeofHomelessService1401JFKBlvd.,10thFloorServicesPhiladelphia,[email protected]
RobertaCancellierDeputyDirector,PlanningandPolicyCityofPhiladelphiaOfficeofHomelessService1401JFKBlvd.,10thFloorServicesPhiladelphia,[email protected]
PROVIDENCE,RHODEISLAND
AndrewSchiffExecutiveDirector RhodeIslandCommunityFoodBank200NianticAvenue Providence RI 02907 [email protected]
EricHirschProfessorofSociologyProvidenceCollege1CunninghamSquareProvidence,[email protected]
ST.PAUL,MINNESOTA
JoeCollins,ProgramCoordinatorSaintPaulDepartmentofPlanningandEconomicDevelopment25West4thStreetSaintPaul,[email protected]@2harvest.org
JoeCollins,ProgramCoordinatorSaintPaulDepartmentofPlanningandEconomicDevelopment25West4thStreetSaintPaul,[email protected]@2harvest.org
SALTLAKECITY,UTAH
GinnetteBottChiefDevelopmentOfficerUtahFoodBank3150South900WestSaltLakeCity,[email protected]
SANANTONIO,TEXAS
NancyWilliamsSpecialProjectsManagerCityofSanAntonioDepartmentofHumanServices106S.St.Mary’sSanAntonio,[email protected]
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HungerContact HomelessnessContact
SANFRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA
JoyceCrumDirector,Housing&HomelessHumanServicesAgencyProgramsPOBox7988SanFrancisco,[email protected]
JoyceCrumDirector,Housing&HomelessHumanServicesAgencyProgramsPOBox7988SanFrancisco,[email protected]
SANTABARBARA,CALIFORNIA
SueGrayCommunityDevelopmentBusinessManagerCityofSantaBarbaraP.O.Box1990SantaBarbara,CA93101-1990805.564.5504sgray@santabarbaraca.govJamieNicholsFoodbankofSantaBarbaraCountyjnichols@foodbanksbc.org
SueGrayCommunityDevelopmentBusinessManagerCityofSantaBarbaraP.O.Box1990SantaBarbara,CA93101-1990805.564.5504sgray@santabarbaraca.govChuckFlacksExecutiveDirectorCentralCoastCollaborativeonHomelessnessChuck.flacks@c3homes.org
SEATTLE,WASHINGTON
KimVonHenklePlanningandDevelopmentSpecialistCityofSeattle,HumanServicesDepartmentP.O.Box34215Seattle,[email protected]
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AppendixF:ListofPastReportsSince1982theU.S.ConferenceofMayorshascompletednumerousreportsonhunger,homelessnessandpovertyincities.Thesereportshavedocumentedthecausesandthemagnitudeoftheproblems,howcitieswererespondingtothemandwhatnationalresponseswererequired.Theyinclude:• HungerinAmericanCities,June,1983• ResponsestoUrbanHunger,October,1983• StatusReport:EmergencyFood.ShelterandEnergyProgramsin20Cities,January,1984• HomelessnessinAmerica'Cities:TenCaseStudies,June,1984• HousingNeedsandConditionsinAmerica'sCities,June,1984• TheUrbanPoorandtheEconomicRecovery,September,1984• TheStatusofHungerinCities,April,1985• HealthCarefortheHomeless:A40-CityReview,April1985• TheGrowthofHunger.HomelessnessandPovertyinAmerica'sCitiesin1985:A25-CitySurvey,January,1986
• RespondingtoHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities,June1986• TheContinuedGrowthofHunger.HomelessnessandPovertyinAmerica'sCitiesin1986;A25-CitySurvey,December,1986
• AStatusReportonHomelessFamiliesinAmerica'sCities:A29-CitySurvey,May,1987• LocalResponsestotheNeedsofHomelessMentallyIllPersons,May,1987• TheContinuingGrowthofHunger,HomelessnessandPovertyinAmerica'sCities:1987.A26-CitySurvey,December,1987
• AStatusReportonTheStewartB.McKinneyHomelessAssistanceActof1987,June,1988• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1988.A27-CitySurvey,January,1989• PartnershipsforAffordableHousinganAnnotatedListingofCityPrograms,September,1989• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1989.A27-CitySurvey,December,1989•
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• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1990A30-CitySurvey,December,1990• ACityAssessmentofthe1990ShelterandStreetNightcount.A21-CitySurvey,June1991• MentallyIllandHomeless.A22-CitySurvey,November1991• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1991,A28-CitySurvey,December1991• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1992A29-CitySurvey,December1992• AddressingHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities,June1993• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1993A26-CitySurvey,December1993• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1994.A30-CitySurvey,December1994• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1995.A29-CitySurvey,December1995• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica'sCities:1996.A29-CitySurvey,December1996• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:1997,A29-CitySurvey,December1997• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:1998,A26-CitySurvey,December1998• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:1999,A25-CitySurvey,December1999• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2000,A29-CitySurvey,December2000• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2001,A29-CitySurvey,December2001 • AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2002,A25-CitySurvey,December2002• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2003,A25-CitySurvey,December2003• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2004,A27-CitySurvey,December2004
• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2005,A24-CitySurvey,December2005• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2006,A23-CitySurvey,December2006• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2007,A23-CitySurvey,December2007• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2008,A25-CitySurvey,December2008
• ChildhoodAnti-HungerProgramsin24Cities,November2009• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2009,A27-CitySurvey,December2009
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• StrategiestoCombatChildhoodHungerinFourU.S.Cities:CaseStudiesofBoston,NewHaven,SanFrancisco,andWashington,D.C.,November2010
• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2010,A29-CitySurvey,December2010
• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2011,A29-CitySurvey,December2011
• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2012,A25-CitySurvey,December2012• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2013,A25-CitySurvey,December2013
• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2014,A23-CitySurvey,December2014
• AStatusReportonHungerandHomelessnessinAmerica’sCities:2015,A22-CitySurvey,December2015
THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS
Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NWWashington, DC 20006
Tel: 202.293.7330Fax: 202.293.2352
Email: [email protected]
THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS
Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NWWashington, DC 20006
Tel: 202.293.7330Fax: 202.293.2352
Email: [email protected]
