How serious are these issues to Broomfield County residents? Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA Too much government spending 24% 1 45% The quality of public schools 7% 1 2 3 High taxes 1 3 The economy and jobs 5% 1 40% High health care costs 43% 3 Drug and alcohol abuse 1 1 5 Lack of affordable housing 3 53% Panhandling 4 37% 5% Crime 22% 6 Low wages 13% 72% Income inequality 65% Homelessness 8 Domestic Violence 48% Broomfield County Residents express some concern about issues that contribute to homelessness Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA High health care costs 43% 3 Drug and alcohol abuse 1 1 5 Lack of affordable housing 3 53% Low wages 13% 72% Domestic Violence 48% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 1
Concern About Homelessness by Household Income in Broomfield County Extremely/Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem 100% 100% 100% 100% 50% 50% $20,001-$40,000 $40,001-$60,000 $60,001-$75,000 $75,001--$100,000 $100,000-$150,000 More than $150,000 Broomfield County residents believe homelessness is a bigger issue in the Denver Metro area than in Broomfield County. Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA Homelessness in Denver Metro 3 55% Homelessness in Broomfield County 8 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 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 slightly increases concern over homelessness for some Broomfield County residents. Extremely serious Very serious Somewhat serious Not a problem DK/NA Initially 3 55% After Information 2 62% 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. Broomfield County residents' image of people experiencing homelessness Lower Higher Veterans Men African Americans Latinos Teenagers Families with children Women Asian Americans Native Americans Gay, lesbian or transgender people The elderly Whites -53% -55% -50% -5-45% -3-25% - -5% -7% 7% 20% 47% 4 Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 3
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 9 5 1 Substance abuse 1 73% 2 32% Mental illness 2 3 Housing costs too high 11 50% 4 21% Relationship/Family break up 14 11% 5 1 Perceived key drivers of homelessness among Broomfield County residents *Split Sample Almost Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know Drug or alcohol abuse 65% Mental illness 50% Physical illness or disability 50% Irresponsible behavior* 41% 15% Lack of family and friends to turn to for support* Domestic violence 31% 1 Social isolation or lack of support in the community* 10% 2 Laziness* Unemployment 21% 45% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 4
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. Other perceived key drivers of homelessness among Broomfield County residents Almost Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know Bad luck 1 1 24% Not enough affordable housing 25% 3 Personal choice 22% 47% Lack of education 1 24% Breakup of family, such as divorce or death 25% Not enough services to help people stay housed 11% 2 *Split Sample Low wages 11% 31% 3 Broomfield 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 Very difficult Difficult but achievable 40% Not so difficult 1 Not difficult at all Don't know/na Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 5
Nearly a third of Broomfield County residents have friends or family who have experienced homelessness Yes No 70% Personal experience with homelessness among Broomfield County residents Personally experienced homelessness 5% Thought they might become homeless at some point Have not/don't know 81% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 6
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 8% Could be solved Improved not solved 64% 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 Broomfield County residents Major responsibility Some responsibility Little responsibility No responsibility Don't know Charitable organizations 58% 42% Family and friends of homeless individuals 58% People experiencing homelessness 45% 3 7% Churches and religious institutions 58% 25% Government 4 1 Individuals in the community 37% Businesses 57% 11% 15% You personally 25% 31% 1 Police 55% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 7
Broomfield 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 Increase taxes to fund support services, such as increased mental health or substance abuse programs, that could help prevent homelessness 5 Increase tax breaks for businesses or individuals who donate property or resources to help address homelessness 5 15% Give homeless people the right to move freely, rest, sleep and protect themselves from the elements in public spaces Allow additional housing that is affordable for low-income people to be built in your neighborhood 32% Increase taxes to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people 53% Change local zoning regulations to make it legal to house homeless individuals in more places Outlaw pandhandling 32% Broomfield County residents are less supportive of punitive approaches Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na 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 to provide housing affordable for low-income people 73% Change the law to that police can no longer arrest homeless people for doing things such as camping in parks 11% 15% 40% Make it illegal for people to live on the street* 40% 52% *Not a Split Sample Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 8
There is fairly balanced (and strong) support for increased fees compared to taxes Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/na 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 5 73% Raise fees to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people 65% Increase taxes to develop more housing that is affordable for low-income people 53% Individual actions Broomfield County residents are willing to take to address homelessness Already done Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely DK/NA Volunteer for a local not-for-profit organization that helps people experiencing homelessness Personally talk with people who are experiencing homelessness Directly give clothing, food or money to a homeless person 73% Volunteer in a shelter for homeless people 73% Directly give clothing, food or money to panhandlers 15% Donate money to a local not-for-profit organization that helps people experiencing homelessness 2 40% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 9
Individual actions Broomfield County residents are willing to take to address homelessness (continued...) Already done Very likely Somewhat likely Unlikely DK/NA Volunteer to help feed people in my community who are experiencing homelessness 11% 62% Talk to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to help them understand the problem of homelessness 54% Volunteer to provide job training skills to homeless individuals 2 10% 47% Temporarily host someone who is experiencing homelessness in my home or yard 10% 24% 67% Volunteer time to programs that help build affordable housing 62% Call or write elected officials to ask them to do more to address homelessness 73% Start or join a group that works to change policies regarding homelessness 100% 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. Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 10
(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 Broomfield County residents find each message? Very convincing Somewhat convincing Not convincing Don't believe Don't know/na (FAMILIES) 57% 43% (RESPONSIBILITY) 77% (COMPASSION) 51% (ANYONE) 55% 3 (HUMAN RIGHT) 1 3 3 (ECONOMIC IMPACT) 20% 3 (MORE HOUSING) 45% Prepared by Spark Policy Institute sparkpolicy.com 11