HUD: Homeless numbers down
The Housing and Urban Development reports homeless numbers are down from nearly a decade ago.
HUD requires an annual count of sheltered homeless families, youths and individuals. The report provides a “Point-in-Time” estimate, providing a snapshot of homelessness on a single night in January of each year. Funding for homeless programs is largely based on this once-a-year count of the city’s homeless population.
HUD’s information shows the homeless population in Texas has decreased from 47% in 2007 to 23% in 2016. El Paso alone reported 1,227 homeless in 2016, 1,321 in 2015 and 1,394 in 2014.
The numbers are met with skepticism locally. John Martin, who helps operate the Opportunity Center for the Homeless, says it’s the way the numbers are calculated that can be misleading.
“It’s basically a snapshot in time. It may not necessarily be characteristic of what the true needs of the community are,” Martin said.
Martin agrees there’s been a decrease in the homeless population but believes measurements should be made within a 30-day period to better track needs. He says many of the homeless come in and out of shelters, find temporary housing, but then circle back into the system.
The Texas HUD chapter in Fort Worth wouldn’t comment on the way numbers are calculated and referred ABC-7 to the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless. An official there tells ABC-7 calculations are accurate. They say the date is usually the third week in January and done that way because they believe it’s the coldest and shelters have the highest population.
“The question is, what is really the true number and what do we as a community need to do to end homelessness and we really don’t have a solid answer to that and there’s some very valid reasons for that and I think part of that is the methodology used for the point-in-time,” Martin said.
The Opportunity Center for the Homeless is working with UTEP and Workforce Solutions to conduct a study next summer. They hope to compare and track numbers and determine if HUD’s calculations are accurate.
The next “Point-In-Time” survey will be conducted January 26th.
