HOMELESS POPULATION
LOCAL, NOT TRANSIENT
Natural Disasters,
Economy Not Seen as Major Contributors to Homelessness
(Kansas City) A sluggish economy and monumental natural disasters have
not changed the basic demographic component of homeless people in North
America, according to the 17th annual Snapshot Survey of the
Homeless released today by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
(AGRM), who conducted the survey.
“There are some general trends that we observe,” said Rev. Stephen E.
Burger, Executive Director of the AGRM. “Homeless people seeking
assistance at Rescue Missions are increasingly local - nearly
three-quarters (73%) identify themselves as residents of the city in
which they receive service.” Burger sees a potential positive outcome,
“If we can address the issues that are causing homelessness, there are
natural connections in place – families, job opportunities, community
centers and churches – that can keep people from returning to the
streets.”
Burger says natural disasters, like the hurricanes that recently swept
through the Gulf Coast region, have certainly increased the numbers
served by Rescue Missions, but the basic demographic in 2005 has not
wavered. “Our hearts go out to those directly impacted by the
hurricanes and our missions have responded mightily to the needs in the
area. However, the year-to-year comparison is very similar, which shows
that the make-up of people across North America dealing with personal
storms has not changed significantly in the last twelve months.”
One
third (34%) of those questioned have never before been homeless, while
slightly more than one fifth (22%) might be considered among the
“chronic” homeless, revealing that they have been on the streets three
or more times in their life-time.
Although the majority (59%) of those surveyed say they have been
homeless less than one year, that figure is down slightly from a year
ago (62%). Burger does not necessarily see an economic cause in this
decline, “Time on the streets does not directly align with economic
conditions; in fact, those responding actually say finding a job is
easier in 2005 than it was in 2004.”
However, the majority of those surveyed do rely on the Rescue Mission
for sustenance, 78% come to the mission daily, 13% every week and 10%
every month for assistance.
The
religious nature of the Rescue Mission was appreciated, as 81% said they
preferred to receive services from an agency with a spiritual emphasis.
Of
the 22,000 individuals surveyed, 76% were males and 24% females. Women
with children made up 61% of the families served, intact families
(father, mother and children) 19%, couples 14% and men with children 6%.
Nearly one third (31%) of the women served by Rescue Missions came to
the mission with a family member.
Viewed by age: 10% are under age 18; 10% are 18-25; 20% are 26-35; 29%
are 36-45; 27% are 46-65 and 4% exceed 65 years. A racial breakdown
shows: 45% Caucasian; 38% African-American; 10% Hispanic; 5% Native
American and 1% Asian. The survey provided demographic data of
individuals at 157 Rescue Missions across North America.
Founded in
1913, the Kansas City-based Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
represents 300 Rescue Missions in communities across North America which
provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services,
rehabilitation programs for the addicted, and assistance to the elderly,
poor and at-risk youth. Last year, AGRM missions served more than 36
million meals, provided 13 million nights of lodging, distributed more
than 20 million pieces of clothing and graduated 14,000 homeless men and
women into productive living.
###
Further information is available on the AGRM website at
www.rescuemissions.org
or by contacting:
Phil
Rydman, Director of Communications,
1-800-4RESCUE.
Snapshot
Survey of the Homeless Statistical Comparison
2005 2004
Gender
Male
76% 77%
Female
24% 23%
Age Groups
Under
18
10% 9%
18-25
10% 10%
26-35
20% 18%
36-45
29% 30%
46-65
27% 29%
65+
4% 4%
Race/Ethnic Groups
Caucasian
45% 44%
African-American
38% 40%
Hispanic
10% 10%
Asian
1% 1%
Native
American
5% 5%
Women/Children/Families
Couples
14% 16%
Women with
Children
61% 60%
Men with
Children
6% 7%
Intact
Families
19% 17%
Other
Information
Veterans -
Male
22% 23%
Veterans -
Female
3% 3%
Served in
Korea
4% 5%
Served in
Vietnam
38% 41%
Served in
Persian Gulf
12% 12%
Homeless
less than 1 year
59% 62%
Never
before homeless
34% 35%
Homeless
once before
26% 26%
Homeless
twice before
18% 18%
Homeless
3+ times before
22% 21%
More than
6 month resident
73% 72%
Harder to
find work today than 6 mos. ago
55% 58%
Lost
Government benefits in last 12 mos.
19% 20%
Prefer
spiritual emphasis in services
81% 80%
Comes to
the mission daily for assistance
77% 78%
In
Long-term Rehab - Male
33% 35%
In
Long-term Rehab - Female
32% 25%
FOR
MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil
Rydman, Director of Communications, Phone: 816-471-8020
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