Title
Receive and Accept the 2017 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive and Approve the 2017 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Every two years during the last two weeks of January, communities across the country conduct comprehensive counts of the local population experiencing homelessness. The biennial Point-in-Time counts of sheltered and unsheltered persons are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all jurisdictions receiving federal funding to provide homeless services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Monterey County receives approximately $2 million in Continuum of Care (CoC) federal funding that supports county non-profit shelter and homeless service providers. The 2017 Monterey County Point-in-Time Count was a community-wide effort conducted on January 25, 2017. The results of the homeless count are enumerated in the 2017 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report.
The Monterey County Homeless Census has two primary components: a point-in-time enumeration of unsheltered homeless individuals and families (those sleeping outdoors, on the street, in parks, or vehicles, etc.) and a point-in-time enumeration of homeless individuals and families residing in temporary shelter (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, or using stabilization rooms).
On January 25, 2017, there were 2,837 individuals experiencing homelessness. This represents an increase of 23% from 2015 and is the largest number recorded in the past 10 years. Of all individuals experiencing homelessness counted in the Monterey County census, nearly a third (32%) were staying in vehicles, a quarter (25%) were living on streets, twenty-six percent (26%) were staying in shelters (either emergency shelters or transitional housing), and seventeen percent (17%) were found to be in encampments or abandoned buildings. Individuals experiencing homelessness are distributed across regions of the county.
In a continuing effort to improve data on the extent of youth homelessness, Monterey County also conducted a dedicated youth count. The dedicated youth count methodology was improved in 2017 to better ensure that unaccompanied children and transition age youth (18-24yrs) were not duplicated in both the general street count and youth count.
In addition to the county-wide homeless census, surveys were administered to a randomized sample of homeless individuals in the weeks following the census. This effort resulted in 654 complete and unique surveys. Findings generated from the survey provide information on the causes and length of homelessness, previous and current living accommodations, and obstacles to obtaining permanent housing.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The 2017 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report was prepared by Applied Survey Research and coordinated by the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers in partnership with United Way Monterey County. It is funded by Monterey County Department of Social Services and Department of Health, Behavioral Health Division. The Census itself was also supported by many local nonprofits that provide services to the homeless individuals and families, and community volunteers.
FINANCING:
Receipt and approval of the Homeless Census has no impact to the County General Fund contributions
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This amendment correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors to improve health and quality of life through county supported policies, programs, and services.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Glorietta Rowland, MAII x4484
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4430
Attachment: Monterey County 2017 Homeless Census and Survey
Copy is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.