An auditor’s report put out yesterday came with headlines that homelessness has had increased by 50 percent since 2006 in Multnomah County. Due to the increase of services requested and the sheer number of people sleeping outdoors — it's thought that the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty has increased both in Portland, and around the country. Still, the report and the headlines failed to give any proper perspective.
From the Auditor’s office relating to homelessness, "Since FY 2005-06, the percent of homeless households placed in stable housing, and still housed after six months, exceeded 80 percent each year. Those still housed after 12 months increased from 68 percent in FY 2005-06 to 78 percent in FY 2009-10."
But what does this mean?
According SR calculations based upon multiple reports this means that nearly 80 percent (up from 68 percent in 2005) of nearly 8,000 people who have been housed through the city’s 10-year plan to end homelessness have retained housing.
The auditor's report goes on to say, "The number of homeless persons was more than 50 percent higher in FY 2009-10 than in FY 2005-06, based on Multnomah County’s one night shelter count."
The number of homeless people increasing 50 percent based upon the one-night shelter count is confusing and misleading. We won’t actually have a number to base this point on until January when the one-night street count occurs. While the one-night street count has its own set of challenges, it will give us a better insight into what’s actually happening on the ground right now.
One of the reasons for the confusion is because the one-night shelter count happens annually, while the street count (mandated by the Feds) is done every other year. The formula has created a confusing message about the actual number of people on the streets.
Saying that, there’s no question that homelessness and the need for services has most likely increased, but simply saying that it's increased 50 percent is actually not accurate.
Update: According to a source close to the city and county, "the key reason why the numbers in the shelter count increased so much is because over the past four years the State has mandated the inclusion of additional categories into the one-night shelter count number. Most notably, it now includes everyone in permanent supportive housing, and receiving rent assistance. It is not only misleading to define those people as "homeless," but it also means that the number has increased significantly due to a definitional change that may or may not have any relationship to the number of people who are (actually) homeless."
Why does any of this matter? Large institutions, newspaper editorials, advocates and think-tanks will use these numbers to spin their message to the broader public — which in turn will help spur calls for more help on one-side, and for less government support on the other.
Posted by Israel Bayer