Home less [hohm-lis] noun 1. The homeless, persons who lack permanent housing Community Profile: Homeless Families in Washtenaw County Krista Dornbusch, Elsa Larson, Jennifer Montgomery, and Georgia Stamatopoulos 40% of families became homeless when they were unable to pay their rent or mortgage. 62% of the homeless population in Washtenaw County are families
What Do Homeless Families in Washtenaw County Look Like? Adults in Families (N=60) Chronic homeless NA Chronic homeless, including families 16.7 Mental health (Total) 28.3 Mental health condition and/or emotional 25.0 stability Severe and persistent mental illness 3.3 Physical or cognitive disability (total) 16.7 Physical disability 11.7 Learning disability 1.7 Developmental disability 3.3 Chronic medical condition 10.0 Drug or alcohol problem 19.0 Dual diagnosis 6.7 HIV/AID, related diseases 1.7 Veteran 3.3 Domestic violence survivor 46.7 Families 100 Sheltered Homeless: A person living in emergency shelters or transitional housing Unsheltered Homeless: A person sleeping on the street or other places not meant for human habitation cars, campsites, woods, and abandoned buildings Chronically Homeless: A person who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years
Community Needs: Quality Affordable Housing in Washtenaw County A number of factors contribute to homelessness: lack of income, eviction due to foreclosure, physical health and disability, mental health and trauma, substance abuse, and week social networks-but a lack of affordable housing, both in Washtenaw County and nationally is the primary factor. Washtenaw County: Monthly Expenses Adult Adult, Adults Adults, Adults, ren Housing $774 $942 $774 $942 $942 Michigan Monthly Expenses Adult Adult, Adults Adults, Adults, ren Housing $552 $667 $552 $667 $667 2,500 people are on wait lists for affordable housing in Washtenaw 88.5% of renter-occupied units in Washtenaw County cost $500/month or more. The average wait for an affordable housing voucher is 28 months 72% of homeless people had incomes of less than $500/month
Community Strengths: Resources and Policies Obama Administration awards $66 million in homeless grants to more than 292 local housing and service programs in Michigan each year. Provides shelter for six families for up to 90 days each "ren are the most vulnerable and least visible victims of homelessness. The instability and trauma that accompanies homelessness leaves its mark on children in many forms." - Nicole Lowis Cornaccione, ren's Services Coordinator Develops and manages affordable housing units for those with low incomes. Provides temporary shelter for families, assistance with permanent housing, educational and employability support services "It's tough because the crisis center can only financially assist families with their rent or mortgage when they are in eviction status." - Michele Leiphart, SOS, Housing Crisis Coordinator Staples Center: provides temporary shelter for homeless families in addition to food, and support for finding permanent housing Homeless individuals shall be eligible for assistance under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 "A single mother with two kids would need to be holding a job paying more than $18/hour and providing health benefits in order to avoid being at risk of falling into homelessness." -Chuck Kieffer, WHA Executive Director
What Can You Do To Help Homeless Families in Washtenaw County? University Homeless Empowerment Relationship Organization: A group of University of Michigan students who are committed to breaking down stereotypes and educating the public about the realities of homelessness in Washtenaw County. They meet Wednesdays at 7:00PM at Espresso Royale on State Street. http://www.umich.edu/~uhero/index.html Adopt-a-Month Program: Volunteers can support a focus area (i.e. food, personal care, or baby items) for one month during the year. volunteer@soscs.org Gardening with Grace: In an attempt to be a good neighbor and have the property blend into the surrounding neighborhood, tenants, staff and board members gather together and garden. Every Season is the Right Season to Give SOS Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Messina http://avalonhousing.org/how-you-can-help/gardening-withgrace/