Title
Receive the 2013 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report from the Department of Social Services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive the 2013 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report from the Department of Social Services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Every two years in January, communities across the country conduct comprehensive counts of their homeless populations in order to gain a better understanding of the service needs of that population. The homeless census is a requirement to apply for federal funding for homeless services through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The homeless census report is a necessary component for Monterey County to receive approximately $2 million in federal HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) funding that supports county non-profit shelter and homeless service providers. The 2013 Monterey County Point-in-Time Count was a community-wide effort conducted on January 23, 2013. The results of those homeless counts are enumerated in the 2013 Monterey County Homeless Census and Survey Report.
San Benito County joined the Salinas/Monterey County CoC to be eligible to apply for its Pro Rata share of HUD McKinney-Vento funding. San Benito County funded their 2013 Homeless Census Report.
In Monterey County, the census identified 1,969 individuals that were unsheltered (living on the streets or in vehicles, abandoned buildings, encampments) and 621 individuals that were sheltered (living in emergency shelters or transitional housing, using motel vouchers) for a total street count of 2,590 homeless individuals. The total number of homeless individuals increased 3% between the 2011and 2013 census counts which constitutes about 1% of Monterey County's population.
In addition to the county-wide homeless census, an in-depth 58 question survey was administered in the weeks following the street count to 404 sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals in Monterey County. In 2013 Monterey County intensified efforts to include unaccompanied children (children under the age of 18 who are homeless and living independent of a parent or legal guardian) and homeless youth (individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 years old); 37 unaccompanied homeless children and youth answered the survey.
Homeless service providers believe that the slight increase over the 2011 count could be attributed to the inclusion of Monterey County Office of Education numbers, which are now allowed with the HUD expanded definition of homelessness.
The Report was funded by Monterey County Department of Behavioral Health and the Department of Social Services. The Report was also supported by many local nonprofits that provide services to homeless individuals and families. The Homeless Census Count was conducted by community volunteers and service providers' staff. Guidance to areas where homeless live or congregate was provided by homeless or formerly homeless individuals who received a small stipend for their efforts.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The 2013 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.
FINANCING:
The Report was funded by the Monterey County Department of Social Services and Department of Health, Behavioral Health Division. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Glorietta Rowland, Management Analyst, 4484
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, 4434
Attachments:
Original and attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board
Homeless Census Point-In-Time Census & Survey