Homelessness In the TJPDC

Fourth Annual Point In Time Survey: January 24-26, 2006

[ Local Trends | Selected findings| Unmet Needs | Method | Definition of Homeless ]

Local Trends

The number of people homeless and the number homeless for the first time were little changed since last year. The most dramatic difference was in the number of people living outdoors, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings. 1 adults and no children were found to be unsheltered in 2006, compared to 142 adults and 7 children in 2005. The percentage of people who were homeless and employed within the last 30 days rose from 57% in 2005 to 59% in 2006.

Selected findings:

General Characteristics

• Gender: male 72% female: 26%
• Average age: 41.3

Families

• 4% were homeless with dependent children

Length of Homelessness

• 61% had been homeless for less than a year
• 8% had been homeless for less than 1 month

Residency

• 6% of people homeless were unsheltered
• 56% were from within the TJPDC
• 38% called Charlottesville their hometown

Employment

• Employed homeless persons rose from 57% in 2005 to 59% in 2006
• 27% were unable to work because of a disability

Health

• 22% did not receive health care when they needed it in the last year
• 31% did not receive needed dental services in the past year

Circumstances

• 73% had completed high school or equivalency
• 19% were veterans
• 24% were divorced

Contributing Causes

• 40% reported being unable to find work
• 58% were unable to find affordable housing
• 13% were victims of domestic violence

What were the unmet needs?

"Within the past year have you needed any of the following services and been unable to obtain them?"

Impacts on families: How individual barriers affect dependent children

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Method

The data for this survey was collected January 20-22 2004 by the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH). A point prevalance count, or snapshot of data, was scheduled January 21st 2004 to coincide with a statewide effort. Current and formerly homeless individuals were the greatest source of volunteers, helping to achieve excellent response rates, increased coverage, and meaningful and candid responses.

 

156 people were found to be homeless on January 21st. 77 homeless adults and 37 children were surveyed over the three-day period, with adults answering on behalf of dependent children. Most of these were residing in emergency or transitional facilites. Shelter staff verified the presence of another 42 people who did not complete surveys.

Census Undercount

It is difficult to get an accurate count of how many people are homeless, in part because the number is always fluctuating. Information regarding the homeless is usually gathered in urban areas, and less is known about the rural homeless. The rural homeless are more likely to be housed with extended family, and therefore not homeless by strict definition, or living in tents, vehicles, or in the woods, and therefore difficult to locate. The net result is that any census count will be an undercount of the homeless population and omit significant groups of individuals. Despite these limitations, an empirical census is still the most accurate approach to homeless enumeration.

 

Definition of Homeless

The definition of homelessness used is that of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D.), and is based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 and its subsequent revisions. This definition includes adults and children living in places not meant for human habitation, including abandoned buildings and vehicles, and those in emergency or transitional shelters. It does not include those living in substandard housing or overcrowded conditions, or those imprisoned or detained pursuant to an Act of Congress or State law.

 

 

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Last modified Friday, 23-Jan-2009 11:55:05 EST

Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless

P.O. Box 1505, Charlottesville, VA 22902

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