Clackamas County 2013 Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Individuals |
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Every two years Clackamas County takes part in a nationwide effort to count homeless individuals who are sheltered within homeless assistance programs and those people who are unsheltered, living on the streets. This year’s count took place on the night of January 30th
Nationally homelessness is defined within two categories for the purpose of this count. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines the homeless as:
Those people who are sheltered within Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs
Those people who are unsheltered, staying in places not meant for people to live, such as in cars, parks,
abandoned buildings, and on the street.
The State of Oregon uses a broader definition of homelessness, which includes those people who are in unstable living situations due to loss of housing and economic hardship.
In Clackamas County the count of homeless individuals is conducted by combined efforts of county staff and volunteers. 157 volunteers took part in the 2013 count in Clackamas. Homeless individuals were surveyed at 92 sites, including food pantries, faith based organizations, shelters, schools, and outdoor areas.
Nationally homelessness is defined within two categories for the purpose of this count. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines the homeless as:
Those people who are sheltered within Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs
Those people who are unsheltered, staying in places not meant for people to live, such as in cars, parks,
abandoned buildings, and on the street.
The State of Oregon uses a broader definition of homelessness, which includes those people who are in unstable living situations due to loss of housing and economic hardship.
In Clackamas County the count of homeless individuals is conducted by combined efforts of county staff and volunteers. 157 volunteers took part in the 2013 count in Clackamas. Homeless individuals were surveyed at 92 sites, including food pantries, faith based organizations, shelters, schools, and outdoor areas.
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2070 homeless people were counted
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Demographics of Individuals Surveyed during the Point-in-Time Count
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Homeless Families:
1160 individuals in households made up of adults with children were counted among the homeless in 2013. This includes 618 children counted by School District Homeless Student Liaisons who are known to be in families, but for whom the makeup of their household is not known.
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Chronically Homeless:
HUD defines a chronically homeless individual as a person over the age of 18, with a disabling condition, who has been Homeless continually for a year or longer or has had 4 or more episodes of homelessness in the past 3 years. A chronically homeless family is a household with at least one adult meeting the above criteria. 191 Chronically Homeless individuals were counted. The chronically homeless in Clackamas County are predominantly male, and between 40 and 64 years old. |
Homeless Veterans:
During the 2013 count 75 homeless individuals reported that they had served in the US Armed Forces.
During the 2013 count 75 homeless individuals reported that they had served in the US Armed Forces.
The Point-in-Time Count since 2009
The total number of homeless counted in 2013 is 25%
lower than the 2011 count total. Counts are also lower in number of unsheltered individuals (↓45%); homeless children (↓22%); and homeless veterans (↓38%). The number of chronically homeless individuals counted increased 22% from 2011 to 2013. |
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Caution should be taken in identifying trends in the number of homeless counted across years:
Many factors affect the results of the Point-in-Time Count. Count methodology, volunteer availability, agency staff involvement, and weather all impact the count.
Clackamas County Social Services and Community Development Divisions have focused extensively on preventing homelessness, and re-housing individuals who become homeless over the past several years. However it is unlikely this fully explains the drop in the number of homeless individuals counted.
Many factors affect the results of the Point-in-Time Count. Count methodology, volunteer availability, agency staff involvement, and weather all impact the count.
Clackamas County Social Services and Community Development Divisions have focused extensively on preventing homelessness, and re-housing individuals who become homeless over the past several years. However it is unlikely this fully explains the drop in the number of homeless individuals counted.
Causes of Homelessness:
Individuals surveyed for the count were asked what factors contributed to them becoming homeless. They answered yes or no to a list of possible causes, and could answer yes to as many reasons as they felt applied to them.
Individuals surveyed for the count were asked what factors contributed to them becoming homeless. They answered yes or no to a list of possible causes, and could answer yes to as many reasons as they felt applied to them.
- 236 homeless individuals reported substance abuse
- 201 reported having a mental health disorder
- 7 reported having HIV / AIDS
Clackamas County Services to Homeless Individuals:
In Clackamas County there are 5 types of programs which address the housing needs of those experiencing homelessness: Homeless Prevention, Emergency Shelter, Rapid Re-housing, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing.
In Clackamas County there are 5 types of programs which address the housing needs of those experiencing homelessness: Homeless Prevention, Emergency Shelter, Rapid Re-housing, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing.
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Between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012*:
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Clackamas County produces an Annual Homeless Assessment Report or AHAR, which looks at a year’s worth of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data on services provided by our Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing programs*. The report serves as a tool for identifying the characteristics of persons experiencing homelessness who are served in our County and, when paired with Point-in-Time data, can be used to identify potential gaps in services. It is Point-in-Time and AHAR data that HUD uses to inform Congress of the state of homelessness in the US.
*the AHAR does not include data on those served through Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs
*the AHAR does not include data on those served through Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs
Demographics of Individuals Served in Clackamas County Homelessness Programs*
*Those programs included in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
*Those programs included in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
Homeless Families:
189 adults and 283 children in households containing both adults and children were counted among the homeless in the AHAR.
189 adults and 283 children in households containing both adults and children were counted among the homeless in the AHAR.
- 18 adults were in households with more than one homeless adult but no children
- 1 child only household was counted
- 148 single person households were counted
Homeless Veterans:
During the AHAR reporting period, 38 homeless individuals reported that they had served in the US Armed Forces.
During the AHAR reporting period, 38 homeless individuals reported that they had served in the US Armed Forces.
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Disabled Adults:
56% of adults served in Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing programs reported being disabled. The highest concentrations of these adults were served in Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, representing 79% of all adults served. |
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Living Situations Prior to Entering Homeless Programs:
The AHAR looks at the housing situations of individuals just prior to coming into homeless programs. Adults entering the programs are asked, at intake, where they were staying the night before they sought assistance.
The AHAR looks at the housing situations of individuals just prior to coming into homeless programs. Adults entering the programs are asked, at intake, where they were staying the night before they sought assistance.
All the information has been brought to you by Clackamas County Community Development Program.
| hmis_2013_clackamas_homeless_pit_report_final.pdf |
