Learning More About Our Homeless in NJ

Every year in counties around NJ, a survey known as the “Point in Time” count is performed.  On a specific day identified by HUD, volunteers from social service agencies both government and private hit the streets and use a standardized questionnaire to gather data from the neediest of our fellow citizens.  The day usually falls in January, so to bring out those in need the various agencies provide blankets, winter coats, gloves, hats and food as incentives.

The data gathered includes questions on how long a person or family has been homeless, how many times they have experienced homelessness in the previous three years, demographic information on the individuals, their sources of income, what incidents may have led to their homelessness and where they stay during their time homeless (hotel, shelter, on the streets, etc.)   The survey asks about the services they may need, what they have been turned down for, and what they currently receive in an attempt to measure gaps in local services.   

At the end of the Point In Time survey, all data is forwarded onto the Corporation for Supportive Housing who then takes on the task of gathering it, measuring it and shaping it into a comprehensive format.    Last week, CSH released the data for this year’s Point In Time survey — I think that the information provided may help shatter some of the myths about homeless in our communities.

There are estimated to be 27,628 homeless men, women and children in NJ over the course of this year.   More than a third are children.   Almost 40% of the adults in the survey link their homelessness to a loss of their job or their inability to find work.   Another third attribute homelessness to the lack of affordable apartments.   

Monmouth county is tied for 6th highest place in it’s count of homeless, beaten only by Bergen, Essex, Mercer and narrowly by Hudson and Camden.   Our count is slightly higher than Atlantic county, NJ with whom we are in a statistical tie if you can imagine that.

Of the homeless surveyed in Monmouth County, 94% are U.S. citizens – not undocumented as some would have you believe.   86% hail from right here in NJ, too, which dispels the one statement I heard at a public meeting where someone stood up and said “people come here to be homeless, I’d love to be homeless on the Jersey beach, laying on the sand all day!”    

Family Promise deals with families who have children in their care under the age of 18, so the data dealing with those individuals speaks to us the loudest.   Basically, families with children represent nearly a quarter of all the NJ homeless.   The average family in the survey has only 1-2 children.  28% have been homeless for more than 1 year.  

Only 15% of those in the survey had no income.   The balance of the individuals in the survey showed just over 2 sources of income per household which could be a mixture of income and food stamps, child support or social services money.   The families had a variety of places to stay when they lacked permanent housing which included family/friends (12%), on the streets with their children (6%), in emergency shelters (15%), or transitional housing (30%). 

HUD does not have a classification for “chronic homeless” when it comes to families – only single individuals.   HUD considers a person as chronically homeless when they have been homeless at least 4 times within the past 3 years – and as a result, HUD has funding streams that create programs to serve those who fit into that category.   Unfortunately for our families, HUD does not recognize that families, too, can be chronically homeless.   This survey showed that 21% of the families currently homeless have been so at least 4 times in three years, and nearly a quarter of them had children with them during those times.    Perhaps HUD will expand their definition (and services) to match this need.

Single moms led the pack of homeless families – 70% of single parent households were women.  In addition to high cost of housing and the loss of jobs, 29% attribute their loss of housing to the break up of a relationship or death of a spouse/significant other.  

What do these figures mean to Family Promise of Monmouth County?  Primarily, we see that the demand for services to homeless families has increased dramatically over last year’s survey.  In addition, we realize that creating our Family Pride Stabilization Program serves a critical purpose to helping end the cycle of homelessness for those who are chronically homeless – whether HUD recognizes them or not.  The need for our second network, serving southern Monmouth County, tugs more strongly at our leash as well.    The majority of homeless were from those areas of the county, and we need to follow the need.   We are currently working on exciting new programs which will serve some of the needs for single parents as well, which relates to the disproportionate number of single moms struggling to live on one income. 

I realize that data is not exciting – but it truly serves a purpose.   Read it over, learn it, and educate others about our homeless neighbors – share the numbers.   While you share those, remember ours…88% of Family Promise families go on to independent, permanent, sustainable housing.   Families matter to us, and we make lasting differences!