Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

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becomes homeless. Over 50% of renters in Eugene are “rent burdened” because they are paying more than 30% of their income for housing. People who experience situational homelessness often become chronically homeless if their initial crisis is not addressed, or if they are unable to remedy the situations that placed them at risk. Approximately 16% of our local homeless population is “chronic”, compared to 10% nationally. The HUD definition of chronic homelessness is an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously homeless for more a year or more or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. Social service agencies and public schools are reporting a significant spike in homelessness during the past six months. They attribute this to the downturn in the local economy and they report seeing a clientele comprised of many people who have never faced this sort of financial hardship. Characteristics of some homeless people Multiple diagnosis: With adults and youth an increasingly common challenge is people with multiple diagnoses including psychiatric disabilities such as bi-polar disorders or schizophrenia, developmental disabilities, numerous physical disabilities, and addictions. Many in this group are chronically homeless. Often, they do not have the capability of earning enough money to afford local housing. Youth, some of whom have mental/emotional, developmental or physical disabilities, are runaways, throwaways or are often homeless because their entire family is homeless. They are on the street or choosing dangerous options for numerous reasons. Many have experienced abuse at home. If not helped, they often age into becoming homeless adults, where they garner even less sympathy and are considered more hard-core. Families with children are comprised of both single parent and two parent families. They are often homeless due to financial crisis brought on by a variety of factors, sometimes but not always, due to poor choices. The economic downturn is resulting in more homelessness among people who have previously had stable employment but are now either laid off or their hours have been reduced. It is common for at least one adult in a homeless household to still have a job. Their children are (or can become) homeless youth. One-time emergency payments prevent homelessness and a cascade of other financial problems. Domestic Violence; another common cause of homelessness, is a woman fleeing an abusive situation in order to protect herself or her children. Of the families with children who use the local emergency shelter system, more than one-fourth are homeless because they are fleeing a violent situation at home. Various national studies have found that between 25% and 50% of homeless women fled a domestic violence situation. Single adults become homeless for numerous reasons. Many are disabled through a job or military injury. Some have experienced abuse or homelessness for much of their lives. Others struggle with addictions. Some simply do not possess the skills to earn enough money to afford a place to live. Veterans are identified separately because they have unique situational problems. Many are profoundly impacted by post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) or other emotional and physical disabilities. Many have come back from war and find it impossible to recreate the life they left, become estranged from society and turn to self-medication, using alcohol or drugs to remedy symptoms of distress and anxiety. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090126\S090126B.doc