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Over 2,000 homeless in Idaho |
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September 11, 2017 |
Results from Idaho’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT)
count show the state’s homeless population
continues to hover at 2,000 on average. The
count remains consistent with the numbers
reported the last six years. The state’s 2017
homeless population count, completed the night
of January 25, 2017, was 2,037, or 9.3 percent
less than last year’s count.
For the first time, Idaho Housing and Finance
Association (IHFA), the coordinator of Idaho’s
PIT count, produced a graphical presentation of
the data collected. The easy-to-understand
infographic includes sheltered vs. unsheltered;
household types; characteristics such as age,
gender and race/ethnicity; and specifics
regarding homeless youth (24 years old and
younger). A statewide summary is available at
www.idahohousing.com.
IHFA coordinates with regional housing
coalitions around the state who recruit local
volunteers to conduct the count in January. Data
collected during the one-night “snapshot” is
used to assess current and ongoing needs of
Idaho’s homeless.
“The severity of January’s winter weather
complicated the process of conducting this
year’s count while also underscoring the
importance of the team’s collective efforts to
help shelter the homeless. Hundreds of
volunteers helped with this year’s count and we
are grateful for their dedication,” said Brady
Ellis, Idaho Housing’s vice president of housing
support programs. “This year’s count follows
year-over-year trends and provides helpful
information about Idaho’s current homeless
population. It also guides and informs our
efforts with partnering housing providers to
reduce homelessness in Idaho.”
While the numbers collected during the
Point-in-Time count are noteworthy, it’s also
important to recognize the associated
limitations.
The weather in January was unusually frigid with
significant snow accumulations. Recruiting
volunteers willing to brave the conditions and
actually locating homeless people, who were
availing themselves of any opportunity to escape
the elements, was challenging. In addition,
people unwilling to answer volunteer questions
cannot be included in the count.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) requires an annual count of
sheltered individuals and a biennial count of
unsheltered individuals in order to receive
federal funding to aid the homeless. |
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