Homelessness in Arizona2009

57% of those counted were living in emergency shelters or transitional housing. The remaining 43% of homeless Arizonans were sleeping on the streets, in cars,

or in other places unfit for human habitation.

54% of all homeless people across the state were living in Maricopa County.

Of the 6,360 people estimated in the Point-in-Time survey to be living on the streets: 82% were single adults. An estimated 27% of people living on the street had a disabling condition and

were classified as chronically homeless.

Of the 8,317 people counted in the 2009 survey who were homeless in shelters: 51% were single adults 32% were children age 17 or younger 17% were adults in families 21% reported domestic violence as a primary cause of their homelessness 36% of adults reported substance abuse as a cause of their homelessness 19% of adults reported having a Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) diagnosis. 22% of single adults in emergency shelter were reported as chronically homeless.

3,997 formerly homeless persons reside in Permanent Supportive Housing 62% reside in Maricopa County 68% are single adults 75% adults reported having a SMI diagnosis.

For more information contact the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness at 602-340-9393.

Last year an estimated 14,677 people

were counted as being homeless in Arizona according to the 2009

statewide Point-in-Time survey.

In Maricopa County alone, 60% of those

requesting shelter are turned away.

21,377 school aged children were reported homeless by Arizona Department of Education’s Homeless School Liaisons in 2007/2008.

The Urban Institute estimates that one in ten poor people experience at least one night of homelessness each year. The most recent (2007) US Census Bureau estimate of poverty in AZ shows approximately 912,000 in poverty (14.3% of total population). Applying this standard, as many as 91,000 children and adults may have experienced homelessness in Arizona this year.

For more information contact the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness at 602-340-9393.

For more information contact the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness at 602-340-9393.

Homelessness in Arizona

2008

� 59% of those counted were living in emergency shelters or transitional housing.

� The remaining 41% of homeless Arizonans were sleeping on the streets, in cars,

or in other places unfit for human habitation.

� 55% of all homeless people across the state were living in Maricopa County.

� Of the 5,363 people estimated in the Point-in-Time survey to be living on the streets:

� 90% were single adults.

� An estimated 33% of people living on the street had a disabling condition and

were classified as chronically homeless.

� Of the 7,776 people counted in the 2008 survey who were homeless in shelters:

� 49% were single adults

� 33% were children age 17 or younger

� 18% were adults in families

� 27% reported domestic violence as a primary cause of their homelessness

� 41% of adults reported substance abuse as a cause of their homelessness

� 24% of adults reported having a Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) diagnosis.

� 30% of single adults in emergency shelter were reported as chronically homeless.

� 3,811 formerly homeless persons reside in Permanent Supportive Housing

� 64% reside in Maricopa County

� 68% are single adults

� 82% adults reported having a SMI diagnosis

� The Urban Institute estimates that one in ten poor people experience at least one night of

homelessness each year. Applying this standard, as many as 88,000 children and adults

may have experienced homelessness in Arizona this year.

Last year an estimated 13,139 people were counted as being homeless in Arizona according to the

2008 statewide Point-in-Time survey.

21,377 school aged children were reported homeless by Arizona Department of Education’s

Homeless School Liaisons in 2007/2008.

Current State of Homelessness in Arizona:

8% of people in poverty, or 66,400 Arizonans, will experience homelessness at least once per year (based on 2004 census data)

Families with children comprise about 40% of people who are homeless 281 families a day are turned away from shelters due to lack of capacity 23% of homeless individuals are living with severe and persistent mental illness As of September 19, 2005, School Homeless Liaisons identified 17,350 school children grades

K-12 in Arizona as homeless. In AIMS testing, homeless children averaged 32 points lower in reading and 27 points lower in math than their housed peers.

Veterans make up 11.5% of all adults in emergency shelter and transitional housing programs statewide.

36% of homeless family members (including men, women, children, and youth under the age of 18) have a history of domestic violence.

Snapshot of a Homeless Family:

Single mother with an infant and a preschool age child Must earn $14.93/hour or $31,049/year to afford a two bedroom apartment at the fair market rent At minimum wage, this mother would need to work 116 hours a week to afford housing

Contributing Factors:

6 of 10 industrial sectors (63% of all Arizona’s jobs) have an annual salary below the US average of $29,245

805,000 Arizonans are uninsured (2000) 1/3 of women, children and youth in shelter reported coming from a domestic violence situation

(includes only self reports -- actual number is probably significantly higher) Housing prices are rising rapidly in Arizona, with the average home resale value increasing

70% between June 2004 and June 2005. Wages have not kept up, and the gap between income and housing costs is growing wider.

Homelessness in Arizona: 2006

A January 2005 point-in-time survey conducted during a 5 hour time period showed 12,264 homeless individuals in Arizona. This number represents

only those visible on streets or currently in emergency shelter. Estimates show that the actual number is probably closer to 20,000 – 30,000.

“. . .picture a sick, frightened, hungry child with no place to call home…this is the new face of

homelessness.”Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D.

National Center on Family Homelessness

For more information, please contact:Jacki L. Taylor, Executive Director602-340-9393 or jtaylor@azceh.org

Current State of Homelessness in Arizona:

� 22,000 people are estimated to be homeless on any given night � 8% of people in poverty, or 66,400 Arizonans, will experience homelessness at

least once per year (based on 2004 census data) � Families with children comprise about 40% of people who are homeless � 281 families a day are turned away from shelters due to lack of capacity � 23% of homeless individuals are living with severe and persistent mental illness � During the 2004-2005 school year, School Homeless Liaisons identified 17,237

school children in Arizona as homeless. In AIMS testing, homeless children averaged 32 points lower in reading and 27 points lower in math than their housed peers.

Snapshot of a homeless family:

� Single mother with an infant and a preschool age child � Must earn $14.93/hour or $31,049/year to afford a two bedroom apartment at the

fair market rent � At minimum wage, this mother would need to work 116 hours a week to afford

housing Contributing Factors:

� 6 of 10 industrial sectors (63% of all Arizona’s jobs) have an annual salary of

below US average of $29,245 � 805,000 Arizonans are uninsured (2000) � 1/3 of women, children and youth in shelter reported coming from a domestic

violence situation (includes only self reports -- actual number is probably significantly higher)

� Housing prices are rising rapidly in Arizona, with the average home resale value increasing 70% between June 2004 and June 2005. Wages have not kept up, and the gap between income and housing costs is growing wider.

Homelessness in Arizona 2005

“. . .picture a sick, frightened, hungry child with no place to call home…this is

the new face of homelessness.” Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D.

National Center on Family Homelessness