R2010-35 PLACING ON FILE - 10 YEAR PLAN TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS

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Scope of the Problem The Working Group estimates that Decatur has 50 households who are chronically homelessness as defined by the HEARTH Act. Of these, 45 are individuals and the other five are family units. This number was ascertained from the 2009 Point-in-Time count of homeless persons conducted by Macon County Homeless Council and interviews with administrators at Oasis Drop-in Center and Good Samaritan Inn. The data were fairly consistent in agreeing that Decatur has about 50 households who fit within the formal definition of chronic homelessness. However, the results of the last few Point-in-Time (PIT) counts varied widely from a high of 147 in 2003 to a low of 33 in 2009.� Additionally, the PIT numbers did not coincide with a non-PIT count of chronically homeless conducted in 2005 for the Five �'ear Supportive Housing Plan for Ch��onically Homeless Persons. The 2005 count, which was the most accurate enumeration to date, found 173 chronically homeless individuals.� The current estimate of 50 persons is a 71% decrease from the 173 persons identified in the 2005 count. This improvement is largely due to additional services and housing provided by local agencies with substantial assistance from the City of Decatur. Meanwhile, the number of households at risk of becoming chronically homeless is on the rise. The Working Group estimates that there are approximately 150 households at risk of chronic homelessness. This number was obtained from the 2009 Point-in-Time count and the Decatur Public Schools' Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program administered by Project Success. Project Success tracks homeless children year-to-year, and its records show an increase every year since 2004. At first glance, these two sets of numbers seem contradictory. The actual population of chronically homeless is decreasing while the at-risk group is growing. Two factors may help in understanding this phenomenon: • Most at-risk persons do not become chronically homeless. With skilled intervention from schools and nonprofits most of them are diverted from the route leading to long-term homelessness. • Due to the economic recession, larger numbers of persons, especially formerly working families, are entering the at-risk pool. However, the process of becoming chronically homeless usually takes several years. A recession does not result in an immediate increase in chronic homelessness. A signification number of homeless are veterans. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that there are 291 homeless veterans in central Illinois, although they do not have specific estimates for Macon County. 6 Unfortunately,the 2009 P1T count omitted all unsheltered homeless persons. 'The 2005 count included all persons who would be considered chronically homeless, even if they were not technically homeless at the time of the count. Rev. 2010/02/19 7