Full Data Released from July 2011 Point in Time Count

New Data on Homelessness from July 2011 Shows Higher Increase in Children

Preliminary results published in August revealed that 941 people in the region are experiencing homelessness which reflects a 5.6% increase from July 2010. 169 children in shelters were counted. This is the highest number of homeless children in shelters recorded in our region since 2002.

Economic Indicators

In the July 2011 Point in Time Count, 13.0% of people experiencing homelessness reported that they had been through a foreclosure as an owner or a renter.
The number of people experiencing homelessness who reported a foreclosure went up 29.3% from July 2010 to July 2011.
22.0% of those surveyed reported that they were employed. Since July 2007, the percentage of people experiencing homelessness who are employed has decreased by 24%.

Last Permanent Housing
More than two thirds of people experiencing homelessness had their last housing in our region.

Richmond – 48.0%
Chesterfield – 5.6%
Henrico – 10.1%
Hanover – 2.6%
Elsewhere in Virginia– 19.6%

These data show the continuing impact of the economy on people with very low incomes in our community. Public and private human service agencies and housing providers are focusing on helping families and individuals stay in their housing when possible and to quickly return to stable housing. Strategies such as partnering with housing agencies to prioritize the most vulnerable families and rapid re-housing with targeted case management have benefitted families in our region since the implementation of these programs in 2009.

Overall Population
	July 2007	July 2008	July 2009	July 2010	July 2011
Total Point in Time	940	958	1,061	891	961
Total Children in Point in Time Count	138	153	155	143	169
Unsheltered Population
Unsheltered	138	146	135	119	130

July 2011 Point-In-Time Count
Overall Population
Total Point in Time	961	5.6% increase
Total Children in Point in Time Count	169	18.2% increase
Unsheltered Population
Unsheltered	130	9.2% increase
Sheltered Population
Emergency Shelter: unaccompanied adults		157
Emergency Shelter: persons in families (incl. children)		106
Transitional Shelter: unaccompanied adults		393
Transitional Shelter: persons in families (incl. children)		155

In addition to performing a count of people experiencing homelessness, individuals also completed a detailed survey conducted by local volunteers. Answers to the 70-question survey are used to obtain specific information on how to better respond to the issue of homelessness.

The primary site for the count and survey was the weekly lunch program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond and included a resource fair with medical screenings, flu shots, benefits information, veterans’ services and free haircuts. The point-in-time count was also conducted in secondary areas in the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico in cooperation with local social services and law enforcement agencies and area shelter staff. For a complete list of partner agencies, visit http://www.homewardva.org./pitcount