Homelessness increasing in Minnesota

Homelessness isn't just about the man in a doorway you've seen. The truly heartbreaking reality of this issue are the children and teens who are homeless. Did you know that the average age of a homeless child is 6 1/2? If you're participating in the Simpson Housing Run, the following are some statistics to use in your fundraising.

From the March, 2010 Homelessness in Minnesota report from Wilder Research:

"After leveling off in the mid-2000s the number of homeless people in Minnesota is way up. On October 22, 2009, 9,452 homeless adults, youth, and children were counted in shelters, transitional housing, and on the streets. This compares to 7,751 counted in 2006.

The number of homeless families with children increased 27 percent, from 1,318 in 2006 to 1,670 in 2009.
* In all, 3,251 children were counted with their parents on the night of the survey, up about 500 from 2006.
* The average age of children with their parents is 6 and a half.

The study counted 1,207 youth (age 21 and younger) on their own, up from 867 in 2006; 220 age 17 and younger; 987 age 18 through 21.
* 64% of youth have a history of being in out-of-home placements including foster care, group homes, detention, or treatment centers (down from 70% in 2006).
* 74% youth have been homeless before. On average, youth first experienced homelessness at age 15.
* 24% youth slept outside, in a car, or in an abandoned building at least one night in October.

The youngest person interviewed in the study was 12; the oldest was 83.

Numbers reflect homeless people counted or interviewed for the study. Estimates of additional numbers of homeless people not found through study outreach will be released when additional analyses are completed."

To read more, go to Wilder's Homelessness in Minnesota Web page.


Renee McGivern, Simpson Housing Services board member
sparkplugconsulting@gmail.com