Homelessness Statistics
There is also no single "right" way to count this continually moving population, making an already hard number to solidify even more difficult. For example, when Point in Time Counts are being conducted locally, individuals either can't be found, decline to take the survey, or simply avoid surveyors altogether. With consideration to the above information, Partners Ending Homelessness (the Partnership) uses three methods of data collection to gain an accurate picture of homelessness trends and the individuals and families experiencing homelessness over time in Guilford County. These methods include information and data collected by an annual Point in Time Count, the State of North Carolina's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and an annual local school system count.
Point in Time Counts
Points in Time counts, conducted bi-annually across the nation, provide a snapshot of unduplicated sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness on any given night as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD defines an individual as experiencing homelessness when they reside in places not meant for human habitation, in an emergency shelter or transitional housing, or when they lack the resources and/or support networks needed to obtain housing. The count includes only individuals willing to answer questions about their living status within a single 24-hour time period.
2012 Point in Time Count
On Wednesday, January 25, Partners Ending Homelessness conducted Guilford County's annual Point in Time Count, which revealed that 1,005 individuals experience homelessness on any given night with 81 of those individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. In 2007, Partners Ending Homelessness established a baseline for comparing data compiled during the Point in Time Counts.
2007 to 2012 Point in Time Count Comparison
Partners Ending Homelessness Press Conference - February 15, 2012
Homeless Management Information System
HMIS is a software application that records and stores unduplicated counts of client-level information on the characteristics and service needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Carolina Homeless Information Network (CHIN) manages North Carolina's HMIS system, which is used by homeless service providers to coordinate care, manage their operations, and better serve their clients. The chart below displays the aggregate data in our system, which provides us with insights into the extent and nature of homelessness in Guilford County over time. In 2010, over 4,904 individuals experienced homelessness, with this number consisting of 1,010 family households. While the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness has essentially held steady, the increase in family households experiencing homelessness has primarily been a result of the economic hardship hitting our nation.
Individuals and Families Experiencing Homelessness Over The Course of One Year
*Total number of households experiencing homelessness is included in the totals for persons experiencing homelessness.
2008 to 2011 Comparison of Homelessness Over the Course of a Year
Local School System Count
The Guilford County school system annually reports data on the number of children experiencing homelessness over the course of the school year. This data, based on the U.S. Department of Education's definition of homelessness, includes children and youth who are living with a friend or a relative as a runaway or who are considered to be unaccompanied youth due to being abandoned by their parent or legal guardian. For the 2009-2010 school year, Guilford County schools reported that 1,717 students experienced homelessness. This number consisted of 361 high school students of which 49 were unaccompanied youth. The visible numerical increase in school-age children experiencing homelessness is due in part to the enhanced education and training of school personnel in identifying and tracking these children, in addition to the economic hardship currently being suffered by many families.
School Age Children Experiencing Homelessness
*These years are based on an academic calendar year
2007 to 2012 Comparison of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Although the dilemmas of individuals and families experiencing homelessness are complex, thorough research of their needs has provided invaluable insights to Partners Ending Homelessness in creating the blueprint to guide improvements in the homeless service delivery system in Guilford County. The Partnership continues to work towards ending, not just managing, the crisis of homelessness in our community.
