How serious are these issues to Jefferson County residents? Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA High health care costs Too much government spending Lack of affordable housing High taxes Low wages The quality of public schools Drug and alcohol abuse The economy and jobs Domestic Violence Income inequality Homelessness Crime Panhandling 2 2 2 1 2 12% 1 1 32% 2% 2 4 2% 2 2% 2 12% 4 2 4 4 3 12% 4 3 5 Jefferson County Residents express concern about issues that contribute to homelessness Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA High health care costs 2 Lack of affordable housing 1 2 12% Low wages 1 1 32% 2% Drug and alcohol abuse 2 2% Domestic Violence 4 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 1
7 Concern About Homelessness by Household Income in Jefferson County Extremely/Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem 50% 1 1 12% 1 1 Jefferson County residents believe homelessness is a much bigger issue in the Denver Metro area than in Jefferson County. Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA Homelessness in Denver Metro 3 Homelessness in Adams County 4 3 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. Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 2
Quantifying the problem does not increases concern over homelessness for Jefferson County residents. Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA Initially 3 2% After Information 1 3 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. Jefferson County residents' image of people experiencing homelessness Lower Higher Veterans Men African Americans Native Americans The elderly Latinos Teenagers Women Families with children Gay, lesbian or transgender people Whites Asian Americans - - -1 3-1 3-4 - 22% -3 - - -3 1-32% 1-6 6 6 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 3
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. Perceived key drivers of homelessness among Jefferson County residents Almost Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know Unemployment 2 2 3 Drug or alcohol abuse 22% 2 4 Not enough affordable housing 22% 2 3 Mental illness 2 2 4 Lack of family and friends to turn to for support* 4 Low wages 2 4 Not enough services to help people stay housed 1 3 1 Social isolation or lack of support in the community* 1 4 1 *Split sample Physical illness or disability 5 Other perceived drivers of homelessness among Jefferson County residents Almost Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know Irresponsible behavior* 1 1 5 1 Lack of education 1 52% Breakup of family, such as divorce or death 6 2% Bad luck 52% 1 Personal choice 3 3 Domestic violence 6 *Split sample Laziness* 4 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 4
The Denver Foundation Poll Perceptions about why Metro Denver Residents are Homeless 2014 Point-In-Time Survey Reasons why Metro Denver Residents say they are Homeless Rank % Rank % Unemployment 1 5 1 4 Substance abuse 2 5 2 32% Mental illness 3 50% 3 2 Housing costs too high 4 5 4 Relationship/Family break up 12 1 5 1 Jefferson County residents mostly perceive that it is highly difficult for people who are homeless to find a home, but some find it achievable. Nearly Impossible 1 Very difficult 52% Difficult but achievable Not so difficult Not difficult at all Don't know/na 0% Nearly half of Jefferson County residents have friends or family who have experienced homelessness Don't know/na 2% Yes 4 No 5 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 5
Personal experience with homelessness among Jefferson County residents Have not/don't know 5 Personally experienced homelessness 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 Improved not solved 6 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 6
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 Jefferson County residents Major responsibility Some responsibility Little responsibility No responsibility Don't know Charitable organizations 4 4 People experiencing homelessness 5 3 Family and friends of homeless individuals 50% 4 Churches and religious institutions 42% 4 2% Government 5 Individuals in the community 1 62% Businesses 5 1 You personally 5 2 Police 4 Jefferson County 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 Change local zoning regulations to make it legal to house homeless individuals in more places 3 3 Increase taxes to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse programs, that could 50% Allow additional housing that is affordable for low-income people to be built in your neighborhood 3 1 Raise the minimum wage across Metro Denver Eliminate mortgage interest tax deductions for homes costing more than half a million dollars, and use the money Increase taxes to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people Give homeless people the right to move freely, rest, sleep and protect themselves from the elements in public spaces Increase tax breaks for businesses or individuals who donate property or resources to help address homelessness 4 32% 3 1 2 5 1 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 7
Jefferson County residents are less supportive of punitive approaches Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na Outlaw pandhandling 2 32% 2 Change the law to that police can no longer arrest homeless people for doing things such as camping in parks 1 2 22% Make it illegal for people to live on the street* 2 5 *Not a Split Sample There is stronger support for increased fees compared to increased taxes in Jefferson County Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na Increase taxes to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse Raise fees to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse programs, that 60% 50% 2 Increase taxes to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people Raise fees to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people 3 3 1 Individual actions Jefferson County residents are willing to take to address homelessness Already done Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely DK/NA Directly give clothing, food or money to a homeless person 6 1 Donate money to a local not-for-profit organization that 50% 1 2 Directly give clothing, food or money to panhandlers 5 2 Volunteer to help feed people in my community who are 2 1 Personally talk with people who are experiencing 2 Volunteer to provide job training skills to homeless 4 12% 1 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 8
Individual actions Jefferson County residents are willing to take to address homelessness (continued...) Already done Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely DK/NA Volunteer for a local not-for-profit organization that helps 32% 12% 3 Volunteer in a shelter for homeless people 3 1 3 2 Volunteer time to programs that help build affordable 1 2 3 Talk to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to 1 3 3 Call or write elected officials to ask them to do more to 1 42% Temporarily host someone who is experiencing 1 0% 5 Start or join a group that works to change policies 6 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 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. Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 9
How convincing do Jefferson County residents find each message? Very convincing Somewhat convincing Not convincing (FAMILIES) 60% (ANYONE) 4 (COMPASSION) 52% 3 (RESPONSIBILITY) 4 (MORE HOUSING) 42% (HUMAN RIGHT) 42% 12% (ECONOMIC IMPACT) 22% 4 1 2% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 10