(Weighted sample of 98 respondents) How serious are these issues to Boulder residents? Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious 38% 44% 31%

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1 Perspectives on Homelessness in the Denver Metro Area Public opinion survey conducted for The Denver Foundation by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates and Public Opinion Strategies January 14-22, 2015 COUNTY LEVEL DATA FROM PWB POLLING BOULDER COUNTY (Weighted sample of 98 respondents) How serious are these issues to Boulder residents? Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem Don't know/na Hight health care costs 20% 3 30% 1 Lack of affordable housing 2 Income inequality Drug and alcohol abuse 1 Homelessness 2 2 Too much government spending % Low wages 7% 1 5 Domestic Violence The quality of public schools 7% 17% 24% 3 1 The economy and jobs 4% % High taxes 5 2 Panhandling 7% 4 34% Crime Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 1

2 Boulder Residents express concern about issues that contribute to homelessness Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem Don't know/na Hight health care costs 20% 3 30% 1 Lack of affordable housing 2 Drug and alcohol abuse 1 Low wages 7% 1 5 Domestic Violence Concern about Homelessness by Household Income in Boulder Extremely/Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem 84% 7 67% % % Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 2

3 Boulder residents believe homelessness is a bigger issue in the Denver Metro area than in Boulder. Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem Don't know/na Homelessness in Denver Metro 1 4 Homelessness in Boulder 2 2 Respondents were asked to rate how serious the problem of homelessness is in the Denver Metro area before and after being read the following passage: It is difficult to know exactly how many individuals and families are homeless. But the best and most recent estimate available suggests that 11,000 across the seven-county Metro Denver area are homeless. Quantifying the problem does little to change concern about homelessness in Denver Metro among Boulder residents. Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem Don't know/na Initially 1 4 After Information % Respondents were asked to rate whether they think rates of homelessness tend to be higher, about the same, or lower among each of the following subgroups than among the population at large. Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 3

4 Boulder County residents' image of people experiencing homelessness Lower Higher Men Veterans Native Americans African Americans Latinos Teenagers The elderly Gay, lesbian or transgender people Whites Women Families with children -20% % 40% 24% 24% Asian Americans -7 0% Respondents were asked: I am going to read you some things people have said cause homelessness. Please tell me if you think it is almost always, usually, sometimes, rarely, or never part of the reason that people are homeless. Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 4

5 Perceived key drivers of homelessness among Boulder residents Almost Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know Unemployment Drug or alcohol abuse Mental illness Not enough affordable housing Low wages % % 1 Physical illness or disability Social isolation or lack of support in the community* Lack of family and friends to turn to for support* Not enough services to help people stay housed 1 20% % 54% Other perceived key drivers of homelessness among Boulder residents Almost Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know 4% Irresponsible behavior* % 17% Lack of education 7% 2 5 Breakup of family, such as divorce or death 7% 17% 6 Bad luck Domestic violence Laziness* Personal choice % 67% 2 4% 17% *Split sample Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 5

6 The Denver Foundation Poll Perceptions Among Boulder Respondents About Why Metro Denver Residents Are Homeless 2014 Point-In-Time Survey Reasons Why Metro Denver Residents Say They Are Homeless Rank % Rank % Unemployment Housing costs too high Relationship/Family break up 12 24% 3 2 Mental illness Substance abuse 2 57% 5 1 Boulder residents perceive that it is highly difficult for people who are homeless to find a home. Nearly Impossible 17% Very difficult 5 Difficult but achievable 2 Not so difficult Not difficult at all Don't know/na 0% Nearly half of Boulder residents have friends or family who have experienced homelessness Don't know/na Yes 4 No Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 6

7 Personal experience with homelessness among Boulder residents Personally experienced homelessness Have not/don't know 6 Thought they might become homeless at some point Would you say homelessness is a probelm that could be solved, a problem that could be improved but not solved, or a problem that is unlikely to improve? Unlikely to improve Don't know Could be solved 2 Improved not solved 67% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 7

8 Respondents were asked: A number of different people and organizations may have some part to play in addressing homelessness. For each of the following, please tell me whether you believe it should have a major responsibility for addressing homelessness, some responsibility, a little responsibility, or no responsibility for addressing homelessness. Perceptions about the responsibility for addressing homelessness among Boulder residents Major responsibility Some responsibility Little responsibility No responsibility Don't know People who are homeless 57% 3 Government 5 4 Family and friends of homeless individuals 5 4 Charitable organizations 54% 3 Churches and religious institutions 40% 4 1 Police 2 4 Businesses 20% 5 2 Individuals in the community 1 7 You personally 5 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 8

9 Boulder residents back a wide range of policy solutions - including some that would cost them money Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na Raise the minimum wage across Metro Denver 7 1 Allow additional housing that is affordable for low-income people to be built in your neighborhood 4 4 Increase tax breaks for businesses or individuals who donate property or resources to help address homelessness 1 Change local zoning regulations to make it legal to house homeless individuals in more places 34% 1 Increase taxes to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse programs, that could help Increase taxes to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people Eliminate mortgage interest tax deductions for homes costing more than half a million dollars, and use the money to provide Give homeless people the right to move freely, rest, sleep and protect themselves from the elements in public spaces % 2 Boulder County residents are less supportive of punitive approaches Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na Change the law so that police can no longer arrest homeless people for doing things such as camping in parks 4 1 Outlaw pandhandling Make it illegal for people to live on the street* 30% 4 4% *Not a Split Sample Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 9

10 There is somewhat more support for "fees" than for "taxes." Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na Raise fees to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people Increase taxes to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people 3 40% Raise fees to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse programs, that could help prevent homelessness Increase taxes to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse programs, that could help prevent homelessness Individual actions Boulder residents are willing to take to address homelessness Already done Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely Don't know/na Directly give clothing, food or money to a homeless person 60% 24% 1 Personally talk with people who are experiencing homelessness 4 34% Donate money to a local not-for-profit organization that helps people experiencing homelessness % Volunteer to help feed people in my community who are experiencing homelessness Directly give clothing, food or money to panhandlers 1 3 Talk to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to help them understand the problem of homelessness 20% 30% 3 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 10

11 Individual actions Boulder residents are willing to take to address homelessness (continued...) Already done Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely Don't know/na Volunteer in a shelter for homeless people 3 3 Volunteer to provide job training skills to homeless individuals Volunteer for a local not-for-profit organization that helps people experiencing homelessness 4 Call or write elected officials to ask them to do more to address homelessness 1 Volunteer time to programs that help build affordable housing 47% 2 Temporarily host someone who is experiencing homelessness in my home or yard Start or join a group that works to change policies regarding homelessness 7% 2 20% 5 5 Respondents were asked to rate how convincing they found the following messages: (ECONOMIC IMPACT) Homeless people and panhandling make neighborhoods feel unsafe and keep people away from businesses. Addressing the problem of homelessness is vital to the health of our local economy. (MORE HOUSING) People living in temporary homeless shelters, or outdoors, often lack the stability to address other problems in their lives problems which, unless addressed, will continue to make them vulnerable to homelessness. If we provide more affordable housing, with supportive services, we can break this cycle and reduce homelessness for the long-term. (RESPONSIBILITY) People who are homeless need to take personal responsibility for improving their situation. When they are ready to do so, we should give them the hand up they need not a handout. (HUMAN RIGHT) Safe shelter is a basic human right that should not be denied to anyone in our communities. We need to commit the resources to make sure everyone has a safe place to call home. (ANYONE) Most people tend to experience homelessness because of financial problems, domestic violence, or poor health. These things can happen to anyone, even those who never expected to Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 11

12 become homeless. We should do more to address homelessness, because we never know when it could happen to us or someone we love. (COMPASSION) Sometimes individuals face multiple, serious challenges that are hard for most of us to imagine. It s important that we put ourselves in their shoes, and continue to show compassion and make sure everyone in our community has a place to call home where they can live with hope and dignity. (FAMILIES) Over half of the homeless households in Metro Denver are families with children. Children need stability and shelter so they can grow into their full potential. We should help those families to give their children that chance. How convincing do Boulder residents find each message? Very convincing Somewhat convincing Not convincing Don't believe Don't know/na (FAMILIES) 6 (ANYONE) 5 (COMPASSION) 5 3 (HUMAN RIGHT) 5 2 4% (RESPONSIBILITY) 5 2 7% (MORE HOUSING) 4 4 4% (ECONOMIC IMPACT) 4 4 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 12