https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_18_147
WASHINGTON – Homelessness in the U.S. remained largely unchanged in 2018, according to the latest national estimate by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that 552,830 persons experienced homelessness on a single night in 2018, an increase of 0.3 percent since last year. Meanwhile, homelessness among veterans fell 5.4 percent and homelessness experienced by families with children declined 2.7 percent nationwide since 2017.
As in previous years, there is significant local variation in the data reported from different parts of the country. Thirty-one (31) states and the District of Columbia reported decreases in homelessness between 2017 and 2018 while 19 states reported increases in the number of persons experiencing homelessness.
“Our state and local partners are increasingly focused on finding lasting solutions to homelessness even as they struggle against the headwinds of rising rents,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “Much progress is being made and much work remains to be done but I have great hope that communities all across our nation are intent on preventing and ending homelessness.”
“Communities across the country are getting better and better at making sure that people exit homelessness quickly through Housing First approaches,” said Matthew Doherty, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. “We know, however, that a lack of housing that people can afford is the fundamental obstacle to making further progress in many communities.”
HUD’s national estimate is based upon data reported by approximately 3,000 cities and counties across the nation. Every year on a single night in January, planning agencies called 'Continuums of Care', along with tens of thousands of volunteers, seek to identify the number of individuals and families living in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs and in unsheltered settings. These one-night ‘snapshot’ counts, as well as full-year counts and data from other sources (U.S. Housing Survey, Department of Education), are crucial in understanding the scope of homelessness and measuring progress toward reducing it.
Key Findings of HUD’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report:
On a single night in January 2018, state and local planning agencies (Continuums of Care) reported:
552,830 people were homeless representing an overall 0.3 percent increase from 2017 but a 13.2 percent decrease since 2010. This small increase is due to two factors:
a 2.3 percent increase of unsheltered homelessness; and,
nearly 4,000 persons staying in emergency shelters set up in areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate; western wildfires; and other storms and events.
Most homeless persons (358,363) were located in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs while 194,467 persons were unsheltered.
The number of families with children experiencing homelessness declined 2.7 percent since 2017 and 29 percent since 2010.
On a single night in January 2018, 37,878 veterans experienced homelessness, a decline of 5.4 percent (or 2,142 persons) since January 2017. The number of female veterans dropped nearly 10 percent since last year. Overall, Veteran homelessness in the U.S. declined by 49 percent since 2010.
88,640 individuals experienced long-term homelessness in 2018, an increase of 2.2 percent over 2017 levels though chronic homelessness declined by 16.4 percent (or 17,422 persons) since 2010.
The number of unaccompanied homeless youth and children in 2018 is estimated to be 36,361, a 5.1 percent decline since 2017. Last year, HUD and local communities launched a more intense effort to more accurately account for this important, difficult-to-count population. HUD is treating 2017 as a baseline year for purposes of tracking progress toward reducing youth homelessness.
Family Homelessness
HUD’s latest national estimate notes a continuing decline in family homelessness in the U.S. In January of 2018, there were 56,342 family households with children experiencing homelessness, a 29 percent decline since 2010. These declines are largely a consequence of HUD’s policy shift from supporting higher cost transitional housing to rapid rehousing programs across the country. Following HUD’s guidance and best practices, local planners are increasingly using rapid rehousing to move families into permanent housing more quickly and at lower cost. Communities are also implementing more prevention activities to help families avoid needing shelter as well as more robust coordinated entry efforts. Taken together, these ‘Housing First’ models have proven to be a more effective and efficient response to help families experiencing temporary crisis as well as those enduring the most chronic forms of homelessness.
Veteran Homelessness
Veteran homelessness in the U.S. is nearly half of what was reported in 2010. Last year alone, the number of homeless veterans declined by 5.4 percent and homelessness experienced by female veterans dropped by nearly 10 percent. These declines are the result of intense planning and targeted interventions, including the close collaboration between HUD and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both agencies jointly administer the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, which combines permanent HUD rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the VA. This year, more than 4,400 veterans, many experiencing chronic forms of homelessness, will find permanent housing and critically needed support services through the HUD-VASH program. An additional 50,000 veterans found permanent housing and supportive services through VA’s continuum of homeless programs.
Chronic Homelessness
Long-term or chronic homelessness among individuals with disabilities grew by 2.2 percent since 2017 though is 16.4 percent below the levels reported in 2010. This longer trend is due in part to a concerted effort to make more permanent supportive housing opportunities more available for people with disabling health conditions who otherwise continually cycle through local shelters or the streets. Research demonstrates that for those experiencing chronic homelessness, providing permanent housing, coupled with appropriate low-barrier supportive services, is the most effective solution for ending homelessness. This ‘housing first’ approach also saves the taxpayer considerable money by interrupting a costly cycle of emergency room and hospital, detox, and even jail visits.
Related local news stories:
PDN: Serenity House seeks donations to create shelter, center for homeless youth
Quote: " Robinson also announced the renaming of Serenity House’s shelters, such as the night-by-night and family shelters.
Shelters will now be known as Clallam County Community Shelters, he said. The agency is still known as Serenity House of Clallam County.
“This is a Clallam County responsibility and a community effort,” Robinson said. “We saw that this summer, the way the churches came in to help us build back up.”
PDN: ‘Blue flags save lives’: Serenity House to be open 24 hours in extreme weather.
Serenity House of Clallam County has announced that it will open its shelter for 24 hours during cold temperatures or extreme weather.
Quote: " Serenity House of Clallam County has announced that it will open its shelter for 24 hours during cold temperatures or extreme weather.
Blue flag days mark the third day of freezing temperatures during day time or a period of extreme weather conditions. When conditions are met, Serenity House and participating agencies and businesses will display a blue flag letting people know that the shelter will be open 24 hours until the end of the extreme weather.
PDN: Port Angeles city manager, council member learn about challenges homeless people face.
Quote: " Younger and Miller challenged West and French to stay at the shelter so they can speak from experience during discussions about homelessness.
French said that when real homeless people learned that he and West were trying to get a taste of what they face each day, they often told the pair that what they should do is spend multiple days on the street and stay outside of the shelter. Many people opt not to stay at the shelter except when it is cold or there is extreme weather.
I think they are kind of right,” French said. We got a tiny glimpse into what its like but not really a true feeling for the experience these people have on a daily basis."
Wind storm damaged assessed
PDN: Cost of wind storm damage up to $400,000 in Clallam County; wind causes outages in East Jefferson County on Monday night
Wind storm cleanup has cost Clallam County and city public agencies an estimated $400,000 since a countywide outage turned out the lights for about eight for about eight hours Friday, county Emergency Management Coordinator Jamye Wisecup said Tuesday.
COMMENTARY:
THE WIND STORM, THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED, AND LIVE IN IT.
By Peter Ripley, PublisherLast week I touched on the need to help the homeless, without creating further hardship, on those who truly needed to use the shelter, by those who with good intentions who went out pretending to be homeless in order to find out how the homeless survive day to day. But, when the wind storm hit the North Olympic Peninsula last Friday like a runaway freight train, knocking out power for hours, and days after it struck that changed the dynamic of the story. I have to hand it to City Manager West, and City Council member French, they braved the big wind storm last Friday, and did managed to stay in the night by, night shelter. I still have to wonder how many real homeless people had to be turned away, who really needed to use the shelter.
While that was going on power crews where working throughout the night, and during the next day, or days restoring power to people were without power. I was without power in my apartment for eight hours, with no alternative power source, leaving me not being about to charge my electric power wheelchair, and the use of my CPAP machine I need to use because of Sleep Apnea. The thought of having to stay up all night because of no electricity was not a very pleasant thought. Fortunately, the power was restored around 10:PM that evening. I wonder how many other people who has the same problem with Sleep Apnea faired that night.
One good thing from what I saw regarding West, and French's spending the night at the night, by night shelter that Serenity house will open for 24 hrs, during the extreme weather conditions, that is good thing but hardly solves the bigger issue of providing for more shelters for those in need than the one homeless shelter operating currently.
But, then news about Serenity House, is looking for donations to start up a night, by night shelter for homeless youths. I thought about a time awhile back that was tried and failed in the Dream Center also ran by Serenity House. Apparently they decided to try again under a new vision, and location. They now calling the shelter operations the Clallam County Community Shelters.
I just hope all of these shelter plans for homeless youths will workout this time around. But, I think just keeping the current shelter active and fully funded should be top priority. People who can afford to pitch in regularly, along with area business and area churches. Let us all try and pitch in year long, not just during the holidays.
TRUMP SIGNS FARM BILL THIS WEEK.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-signing-h-r-2-agriculture-improvement-act-2018/
WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET: SUPPORTING AMERICA’S FARMERS: President Donald J. Trump is signing the 2018 Farm Bill to support America’s hardworking farmers.
President Trump is signing the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report recently passed by a joint, bipartisan majority of Congress.
The Farm Bill provides critical funding for the United States Department of Agriculture and provides support, certainty, and stability to our Nation’s farmers. The bill will:
Extend farm support programs and improve crop insurance
Maintain vital disaster programs to ensure our farmers and agricultural producers are well-prepared to weather market disruptions
Promote agricultural exports and opening of new markets for America’s farmers
Expand rural broadband development and dedicate resources to fight the opioid crisis
Promote voluntary conservation, outdoor recreation, and better water infrastructure
Encourage forest management partnerships with States and localities
For the first time since 1990, a farm bill has been enacted the same year it was introduced.
REFORMING SNAP: The Administration is also proposing a new rule to promote responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources and economic independence for Americans.
Although the Farm Bill enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program integrity, it missed an opportunity to close loopholes that trap Americans in poverty.
The Administration’s new proposed rule includes commonsense measures that update the criteria States use to waive work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.
In 2016, almost 2.8 million Americans on the SNAP rolls were able-bodied adults, without dependents, who were not working.
With unemployment at a generational low, SNAP recipients who can work should.
The proposed rule will end the shameful practice of exemption hoarding that allowed States like California to bank hundreds of thousands of waivers over the years.
A significant portion of SNAP participants are children, elderly, or disabled, and we want to ensure they have access to the food they need.
While a permanent legislative solution would be preferred, the proposed rule represents important reforms to SNAP and is projected to save taxpayers $15 billion over ten years.
WORKING FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES: The Administration’s actions are just the latest in President Trump’s mission to put our rural communities back on track.
President Trump has overseen vital investment in rural infrastructure and expanded rural broadband by cutting red tape and catalyzing private investment.
The President has expanded access worldwide for American agricultural products.
President Trump authorized over $12 billion in aid to assist American farmers facing unjustified retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries.
The recent roll back of Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations will reduce regulatory compliance costs for rural communities and business owners.
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law, expanding the estate exemption—a change so important to family farms across America.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-is-improving-american-agriculture-programs/
Related Story: USDA to Restore Original Intent of SNAP: A Second Chance, Not A Way of Life.
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/12/20/usda-restore-original-intent-snap-second-chance-not-way-life
WASHINGTON, December 20, 2018) – At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a proposed rule (PDF, 300 KB) intended to move more able-bodied recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to self-sufficiency through the dignity of work. The rule is meant to restore the system to what it was meant to be: assistance through difficult times, not lifelong dependency. Over time, without any changes in the underlying welfare reform legislation of 1996, that ideal has been watered down by out-of-control administrative flexibility in SNAP.
“Long-term reliance on government assistance has never been part of the American dream,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “As we make benefits available to those who truly need them, we must also encourage participants to take proactive steps toward self-sufficiency. Moving people to work is common-sense policy, particularly at a time when the unemployment rate is at a generational low.”
The rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses on work-related program requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). The rule would apply to non-disabled people, between the ages of 18 and 49, with no dependents. The rule would not apply to the elderly, the disabled, or pregnant women.
Under current SNAP requirements, ABAWDs must work or participate in an employment program for at least 20 hours a week to continue to receive benefits for more than three months over a 36-month period. States may request to waive the time limit in areas with an unemployment rate above 10 percent or where there are ‘not sufficient jobs,’ which current regulations primarily define as an unemployment rate 20 percent above the national average. With today’s strong economy, that could include areas with unemployment rates of under 5 percent – a rate normally considered to be full employment. In 2016 there were 3.8 million individual ABAWDs on the SNAP rolls, with 2.8 million (or almost 74 percent) of them not working.
“Americans are generous people who believe it is their responsibility to help their fellow citizens when they encounter a difficult stretch,” Perdue said. “That is the commitment behind SNAP. But like other federal welfare programs, it was never intended to be a way of life.”
USDA’s proposal would help to ensure that work provisions are waived only when necessary, encouraging states to renew their focus on helping SNAP participants find a path to self-sufficiency. In a recent letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 109 KB), Secretary Perdue explained, “These waivers weaken states' ability to move the ABAWD population to long-term self-sufficiency because they do not require ABAWDs to engage in work and work training.”
USDA encourages all interested parties to provide input on the proposed rule, which will be posted to the Federal Register in the coming days. The comment period will be open for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.
USDA’s FNS works to reduce food insecurity and promote nutritious diets among the American people. The agency administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.
Editorial Comment: I guess they decided to forgo the food box method they once suggested to replace food stamps! That's nice to know.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
(From the UN News Center & other sources)
Multiplicity’ of rights violations in Ukraine as fifth winter of conflict bites.
Rights violations have continued unabated and unaddressed in Ukraine and people are still dying amid ongoing conflict between Government forces and armed separatists in the east of the country, a top UN rights official said on Wednesday
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/12/1028951
One small flight for a drone, one ‘big leap’ for global health.
On a small island in the remote South Pacific, a one-month-old baby has become the world’s first child to be given a vaccine delivered by a drone, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/12/1028931
‘Chance for peace’ in South Sudan finally within reach, declares UN Peacekeeping chief.
The security situation in South Sudan has significantly improved since the recently signed peace deal between the opposing parties in the country’s civil war, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN Peacekeeping (DPKO), told the Security Council on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/12/1028921
UN rights chief welcomes new text to protect rights of peasants and other rural workers.
As the most basic rights of rural people continue to be trampled on in many parts of the world, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, welcomed Monday the adoption on Monday by the UN General Assembly of a new declaration to help safeguard them.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/12/1028881
Migrants: ‘A powerful driver’ of economic growth, ‘dynamism and understanding’
Human migration is “a powerful driver of economic growth, dynamism and understanding,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, in his message commemorating International Migrants Day, marked on 18 December.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/12/1028701
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
PAGE 2
Miami-Area Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison for Role in $8.4 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme.
PAGE 3
New Study Finds Higher than Expected Number of Suicide Deaths among U.S. Veterinarians.
PAGE 4
EPA Recognizes Electronics Industry Leaders for Innovative Efforts and Recycling Achievements.
PAGE 5
USDA BLOG: Rural Aging Occurs in Different Places for Very Different Reasons.
PAGE 6
VETERANS: Senator Murray Applauds VA Secretary’s Announcement That Will Keep All Veterans in Caregiver Support Program While Reforms Made.
PAGE 7
Strengthening the state’s response to the opioid crisis: Inslee’s plan builds on efforts to tackle public health emergency.
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