2019 POINT IN TIME COUNT REPORT
VERMONT’S ANNUAL STATEWIDE COUNT OF THE HOMELESS
Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness & Chittenden County Homeless Alliance
CONTENTS
Summary ...... 4 Location of homelessness ...... 5 Household type ...... 7 Subpopulations of homelessness ...... 8 Youth Homelessness...... 10 County Breakdowns ...... 11 3rd Annual Precariously Housed Youth Count ...... 22 Summary ...... 22 Accompanied vs. Unaccompanied Youth ...... 23 Ages of Precariously Housed Youth ...... 24 Precariously Housed Youth by County ...... 26 Contact Information ...... 27
HOMELESS PERSONS BY COUNTY 2019 POINT IN TIME COUNT
64 0 25 48 29 15 8 15 0 0
6432 30 22 291309 52 245 28
150 141 111 92
81
52 104 23 22
LEGEND 183 Persons counted 96 91 Households counted 54 46 60
Note: Single Persons are counted as a
100 “household” of one. A family of multiple persons is counted as a single household and
multiple persons. Thus the difference between persons counted and households counted. 77 50 102
98 84 SUMMARY
This report chronicles the landscape of and changes in overall homelessness, as well as breakdowns by location of homelessness, household type, subpopulation, and county. The Annual Point in Time Count is an unduplicated statewide count of persons experiencing literal homelessness1 on a single night in January. The Count captures the most vulnerable population, those literally homeless and does not include those at risk of homelessness, doubled up or couch surfing. Vermont’s two Continua of Care (CoC) — the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness (Balance of State CoC) and Chittenden Homeless Alliance (Chittenden County CoC)—are the lead organizers of this effort. These CoCs, along with 11 local Continua of Care that are part of the Balance of State, are comprised of service and housing providers, state agencies, those with lived experience of homelessness, and other key partners in the work to make all homelessness rare, brief and one-time.
. During the one-day count on January 23, 2019, 1,089 Vermonters experienced literal homelessness, a decrease of 202 people, or 15.5% decrease, compared to the 2018 one-day count.
. A total of 772 households were counted, a 16% decrease (145 fewer households) from 2018.
. The number of unsheltered persons counted 114, a 39% increase from 2018.
. 251 persons were children 18 and under, representing 23% of the entire homeless population counted; this percentage is unchanged from 2018.
. 133 people, or 12%, reported they were fleeing domestic or sexual violence. 2018 was the first year (baseline) where information was collected on those fleeing domestic or sexual violence (instead of survivors of domestic or sexual violence). In 2019, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence supported statewide collection aggregate data for the PIT Count to ensure safety for survivors and a more comprehensive count. In 2019, there was an 18 person decrease or 12% from 2018 PIT Count.
. A disproportionate amount of people identified as Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino, compared to state demographics; 8% were Black or African American, compared to 1% of the state population; 4% were Hispanic or Latino, compared to 1% of the state population.
The Count provides a valuable measure of Vermont’s homeless population; the data is used to assess and identify housing service gaps and needs. Insufficient affordable housing units, housing subsidies and capacity to provide individualized services that fit the needs of individuals and families who are homeless continue to burden prevention and intervention efforts. All Continua of Care are working to implement Coordinated Entry, a uniform system to streamline access to housing-related services and resources. Coordinated Entry also supports providers in more effectively prioritizing and matching families and individuals with housing and services that meets their needs.
1 Staying in emergency shelter, transitional housing for homeless persons, a place not meant for human habitation, or a motel with a voucher. ANNUAL VT POINT IN TIME COUNT OF THE HOMELESSNESS: 2011-2019
TOTAL PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Statewide Balance of State CoC Chittenden County CoC
1600 1523 1400 1454 1450 1291 1200 1102 1144 1160 1225 1052 1089 1000 971 1027 932 934 800 655 776 770 780
600 489 483 471 400 359 384 423 309 200 332 291
0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
LOCATION OF HOMELESSNESS
Sheltered Unsheltered
163 150 1400 184 82 1200 134 123 223 156 112 1000
800
1396 1373 1270 600 1210 1091 1021 937 961 977 400
200
0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
KEY FINDINGS
. This year’s Count saw the lowest number of homeless in the past 9 years.
. While the statewide number of homeless decreased by about 16%, the number of unsheltered persons increased by almost 37%.
o This increase is at least partially a result of a decreased utilization in state-funded motel vouchers on the night of the Count due to milder temperatures. Adverse Weather Condition (AWC) relaxes eligibility for the General Assistance Emergency Housing vouchers when temperatures or wind chills are below 20 degrees, or 32 degrees with precipitation.
. In 2019, only one Agency of Human Services (AHS) district had an Adverse Weather Condition status (Newport district).
. In 2018, many AHS districts had an Adverse Weather Condition status issued. In 2018, 373 persons were staying in motels with vouchers through the General Assistance Emergency Housing program, as compared to 186 in 2019, a 50% decrease (187 fewer persons) in utilization on the night of the Count. HOUSEHOLD TYPE
1000 881 900 837 775 800 753 732 694 695 700 654 675 623 627 613 600 507 507 528 511 500 462 408
400 TotalPersons 300
200
100 26 20 7 9 6 1 2 6 6 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Persons in households with at least One Adult and One Child Persons in households with Adults only Persons in households with Children only
KEY FINDINGS
. Families with Children (at least one adult and one child): approximately 38% of persons (408) experiencing homelessness were persons in households with at least one adult and one child.
o This is a decrease of 20% (103 persons) from 2018 to 2019.
. Adults (households with adults only): approximately 62% of persons (607) were in households with adults only.
o This is a decrease of 13% (100 persons) from 2018 to 2019.
. Unaccompanied Minors (households with children only): approximately .5% of persons (6) were in households with children only.
SUBPOPULATIONS OF HOMELESSNESS
For the following data, people may be included under multiple subpopulation categories (i.e., they are not mutually exclusive categories). All data is based on self-reported information.
Currently Fleeing DV/SV Chronic Homelessness Severe Mental Illness
Substance Abuse Veterans 500 474
450 418 426 422 400 351 333 340 330 350 319 294 300 253 255 300 228 250 217 229 201 194 185 200 159 190 204 144 153 133 150 127 127 102 151 100 128 119 109 120 110 108 86 94 87 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
KEY FINDINGS
. In all subpopulations, there was an increase, with the exception of Veteran’s homelessness and those currently fleeing domestic/sexual violence.
. While there was an overall decrease in persons experiencing homeless, there was an increase in those identifying as one or more subpopulation. This may suggest that those experiencing homelessness have higher needs than previous years.
. In Vermont, 190 persons (17.5% of total persons counted) self-identify as chronically homeless2 which is a 24% increase compared to 2018.
. 351 persons (32% of total persons counted), reported having a severe mental illness, a 6% increase (21) from 2018.
2 Comprised of persons with a disability who have experienced homelessness for a year or longer, or at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years (cumulative of at least 12 months). . 201 persons (18.5% of total persons counted), reported having a substance use disorder, compared to 14.3% (185) in 2018 and 18.6% (228) in 2017.
. Veteran’s homelessness experienced a 19.5% decrease, with 87 persons counted. This is the lowest PIT number since 2011, which was 86.
o The decrease in the count of Veteran’s experiencing homelessness could partially be due to a restructure of the question regarding Veteran status, as well as additional training for those asking the question.
. Persons currently fleeing domestic/sexual violence experienced a 19.5% decrease, with 133 persons counted.
YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
Age of Homeless Population by County Total Children and Youth ≤ 24 years old 60 51 50 43 40 32 32 30 27 23 24 2221 20 16 13 11 11 9 9 8 8 10 6 7 7 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
<18 18-24
KEY FINDINGS Parenting Youth Households (Parent ≤ 24 years old) . 35.5% (387) of persons experiencing 6 homelessness were age 24 or younger. 5 Of these children and youth: 5
4 245 were minors (< 18 years old) 4 and living as part of a family unit
3 3 3 6 minors (< 18 years old) were unaccompanied 2 2 2 2 2 136 persons were 18-24 years old 1 1 1 . 27 persons were parenting youth (<=24 years old) with 35 children in those 0 0 0 0 0 households. Parenting youth represented 21% (27) of all households with children (128).
COUNTY BREAKDOWNS
Essex and Grand Isle Counties are not included as both had a homeless count of zero persons.
Chronically Homeless Households by County 70 62 60
50
40 33 30 22 19 20 12 10 8 5 2 3 3 0 0 0 1 0
Household Type By County 250 220
200
150
97 100 77
43 44 50 36 39 21 25 22 14 1514 16 15 9 7 9 12 7 13 0 0 0 0 5 0 6 0
Households with Children Households Without Children
Households Experiencing Homelessness for the First Time
90 84
80
70
60
50
40 31 31 31 30 24 24
20 16 16 12 14 10 7 7 0 0 0
Addison 120
98 100 95 92 87 81 80 76 67 58 60 52
40
24 23 21 18 20 17 12 12 9 5 3 5 5 0 1 2 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Bennington 140 130 129
120
100 97 100
78 77 80
60 55 51 50
40 32 22 24 17 20 16 13 13 11 10 3 1 3 2 4 1 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Caledonia 60
52 52 50
41 40 33 30 30 28 28 24 24
20
11 9 10 8 7 7 6 5 4 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Chittenden 400 359 342 350 309 291 300 282 263 261 245 250 230
200
150 126
100 80 88 80 53 57 48 40 42 50 28 35 17 23 25 17
0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Franklin 140
119 120
100 92
80 64 60 60 60 48 47
40 29 27 20 20 13 14 13 14 9 9 4 5 7 4 1 0 2 1 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Lamoille 70 64
60
50 41 40 32 29 30 26 24 23 22 21 20 13 12 9 9 10 7 7 6 6 4 5 3 3 2 0 0 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Orange 25 23 22 20 20 20 20 18 18 18 18 18 16 15 15 14 13 12
10 8 8 7
5 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Orleans 30
25 25 25
20
15 15 15 15 15 14
10 9 8
5 4 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Rutland 200 183 180 170
160 137 140
120 114 111 96 100 91 89
80
60 54 43 40 40 30 24 27 18 16 17 18 20 13 13 9 10 3 7 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Washington
160 150 141 140 136 133133
120 111 110 106107 100
80
58 60 50 46 40 39 35 40 30 32 26 28 26 19 20 15 8 3 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Windham 120 114112 107107 98 100 90 89 84 84 80
60
43 41 40 34 35 29 25 26
20 13 9 11 7 5 7 7 7 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Windsor 140 125 118 120 113113
100 91 86 82 80 73
60 60 48 43 41 40 32 31 26 21 20 12 7 5 5 4 3 3 6 0 Households Persons Unsheltered Sheltered DV Severe MH SUD Veterans
2017 2018 2019
Chronic Health Conditions 140 117 120
100
80 72 57 58 60 53 41 37 36 37 40 35 35 35 26 26 21 23 1615 18 1918 18 20 13 11 13 10 5 7 6 7 8 66 89 6 5 99 8 7 1 3 0 1 1 03 00000 42 42 00000 40 3 1 1411 0
Physical Disability (Long-Term) Developmental Disability Mental Health (Severe and Persistent) Chronic Substance Abuse (Alcohol and/or Drug) Other Chronic Health Conditions (Long-Term)
Fleeing Domestic or Sexual Violence 40 35 35
30
25
20 19
15 13 13 13 12
10 7 7 7
5 3 3 1 0 0 0
Veterans 30 26 25
20 17 16 15
10 10 7 6 5 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Gender 250
194 200
150 112 100 88
50 51 56 51 42 46 50 37 37 39 38 40 40 28 26 24 18 19 13 1410 11 10 00 30 0 000 00 0000 10 4 00 01 00 20 11 00 0
Female Male Transgender Gender Non-Conforming (i.e. not exclusively male or female)
Racial Composition
250 235
200
150 123
100 90 90 87 63 67 49 45 50 50 26 24 16 21 10 8 7 13 9 11 0 21 102 0000 05 0000 204 101 001 402 61 413 103 0
White Black or African-American Asian Other and/or Multiple Races
Age of Homeless Population (Adult 25+) 160 146 140
120
100
80 72 60 60 55 52 43 40 31 25 26 16 16 17 18 16 20 14 14 1112 5 5 8 9 9 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 2 4 0 2 0 0
25-54 55+ Unreported Age (Adult)
3RD ANNUAL PRECARIOUSLY HOUSED YOUTH COUNT
Summary
In FY 2018, just over half (51%) of youth and young adults aged 12-24 utilizing crisis beds were precariously housed the night prior to entering a bed in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.3 Understanding more about the experience of youth and young adults prior to becoming homeless will help to identify the interventions (i.e., types of housing and services) needed to prevent their homelessness. As explained, the Point-in-Time Count does not count those who are precariously housed, “couch surfing”, “doubled up”, facing eviction, etc. For this reason, the Vermont Coalition of Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs (VCRHYP) and the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) conduct a count of precariously housed youth and young adults on a single night, in conjunction with the Point in Time Count.
Now in its third year, the precariously housed Youth Count has provided vital information to youth and housing providers. Counting youth and young adults who are precariously housed requires a concerted effort amongst partner organizations and schools. With each year, outreach and data collection efforts have improved. As a result, the data collected during the count continues to grow, providing an ever more complete picture of the number of youth and young adults experiencing precarious housing around the state.
700 Total Precariously Housed Youth 600 617
500
400
300 251 200
100 109
0 2017 2018 2019
3 Data from the Vermont Homelessness Management Information System (VT HMIS) Balance of State ONLY.
KEY FINDINGS
The number of partner organizations participating in the Youth Count has grown each year: 23, 34, 45 respectively.
o This increase in participation and outreach is a clear factor in the 146% increase of precariously housed youth between 2018 to 2019.
o Community partners included: Homeless Education Liaisons from School Districts and Supervisory Unions, Runaway & Homeless Youth Service providers, Parent Child Centers, Youth Development Program providers, Youth in Transition (YIT) providers, and others.
46.5% of Homeless Education Liaisons (McKinney-Vento staff) responded in 2019, compared to 25% in 2018. This represents an 84% increase in responses from McKinney-Vento Liaisons. The Agency of Education provided particularly strong support for the Youth Count in 2019.
Accompanied vs. Unaccompanied Youth In addition to counting the number of youth who were precariously housed, the Youth Count gathered information on whether youth were with family (accompanied) or on their own (unaccompanied).
700
600 26
122 500
400
300
25 469 200 50
100 176 109 0 2017* 2018 2019
Accompanied Unaccompanied Unknown
* In 2017, accompanied v. unaccompanied was not collected. KEY FINDINGS While the total number of precariously housed youth counted increased significantly, the percentage that were unaccompanied remained at 20% of total youth.
Ages of Precariously Housed Youth
Ages presented below are approximate, as community partners provide different types of data to the Count, such as date of birth, age range, or a school grade.
13 600 92
500
400 225
300 0 39 200 98 287 100 0 46 35 114 28 0 2017 2018 2019
<12 12-17 18-24 Unknown
2019 Youth Count by Age and Accompanied v. Unaccompanied 350
287 300 278
250 225
200 163 150
92 100 63 53 50 15 14 13 13 6 3 9 0 <12 12-17 18-24 Unknown
Total Accompanied Unaccompanied Unknown
KEY FINDINGS
In the last two Youth Counts, children under 12 has consistently represented the largest portion of youth.
76% of youth (469) were accompanied.
o 59% (278) of accompanied youth were under the age of 12.
o 35% (163) of accompanied youth were between the ages of 12-17.
o 3% (15) accompanied youth were between the ages of 18-24.
20% of youth (122) were unaccompanied.
o 5% (6) unaccompanied youth were under the age of 12.
o 43% (53) unaccompanied youth were between the ages of 12-17.
o 52% (63) unaccompanied youth were between the ages of 18-24.
Precariously Housed Youth by County
2019 Total Precariously Housed Youth by County 200 175 180 160 140 120 100 89 80 72 60 49 41 38 40 42 40 32 30 20 3 6 0
Note: Low response rates from Bennington and Rutland Counties are likely a factor in the low number of youth reported for these areas. In Bennington County, 2 (out of 6) community partners participated. In Rutland County, 1 (of 11) community partners participated.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness: Rebeka Lawrence-Gomez, Co-Chair, Pathways Vermont, [email protected] Josh Davis, Co-Chair, Groundworks Collaborative, [email protected]
Chittenden County Homeless Alliance: Margaret Bozik, Co-Chair, Champlain Housing Trust, [email protected] Travis Poulin, Co-Chair, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, [email protected]
Addison County Continuum of Care: Jeanne Montross, HOPE, [email protected]
Bennington County Continuum of Care: Chris Oldham, Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless, [email protected] Chandler Poling, BROC, [email protected]
Caledonia & Essex Counties Continuum of Care: Connie Sandahl, Northeast Kingdom Youth Services, [email protected]
Franklin & Grand Isle Counties Continuum of Care: Holly Olio, Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, [email protected] Jen Stewart, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, [email protected]
Lamoille County Continuum of Care: Will Eberle, Agency of Human Services, [email protected] Sherry Marcelino, Lamoille County Mental Health Services, [email protected]
Orleans County Continuum of Care: Jenna O’Farrell, Northeast Kingdom Community Action, [email protected]
Rutland County Continuum of Care: Heather Hinckley, Homeless Prevention Center, [email protected]
Washington County Continuum of Care: Toni Grout, Capstone Community Action, [email protected]
Windham South Continuum of Care: Pat Burke, Southeastern Vermont Community Action, [email protected] Sue Graff, United Way of Windham County, [email protected]
Windsor-North & Orange Counties Continuum of Care: Linda Anderson, Capstone Community Action, [email protected] Renee Weeks, Upper Valley Haven, [email protected]
Windsor-South & Windham North Continuum of Care: Tara Chase, Windsor County Youth Services, [email protected]