Courtney Morton
Housing & Homelessness Research Coordinator
Mary Ann Priester
HMIS Administrator
Community Support Services partners with homeless service agencies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg to enter, collect, analyze and report data on housing and homelessness in the community. This June blog post describes the release of a new Housing Data Snapshot page, which provides regular reporting on three critical data points: the One Number, “By-Name” List Movement, and Coordinated Entry.
The newest data has been added to the Housing Data Snapshot. This blog post highlights the latest changes and provides an in-depth analysis to describe what these changes mean for Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
ONE NUMBER
As of August 31 2019, there are 2,676 individuals actively experiencing homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. This includes 206 families (653 individuals within 206 family households) and 2,030 single individuals. Of the 2,030 single indiviudals, 143 are unaccompanied youth (age 18 – 24). The One Number, which is generated from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) was first reported in the September 2019 release of the State of Housing Instability & Homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Report.
Between June and August 2019, the One Number has increased by 570 individuals. During the past thirty days, 84 families and 447 single individuals were added to the One Number by-name list. Of that total inflow into homelessness, 61% (325/532) were added to the One Number by-name list for the first time, which underscores the connection between housing instability and homelessness.
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
In August 2019, there are 477 chronically homeless individuals who are still homeless in Mecklenburg County. This number has continued to increase as inflow outpaces outflow. Since April 2019, the number of chronically homeless individuals increased 13% (55 individuals).
In August, the inflow was 28 compared with an outflow of 7, resulting in a net increase of 21 individuals homeless. During the past quarter, the average inflow is 27 individuals, whereas the average outflow is 16. Unless the outflow increases, (which requires new housing options) and/or inflow decreases (as a result of increased housing stability), the number of chronically homeless individuals will continue to increase.
VETERAN HOMELESSNESS
In August 2019, there are 280 veterans who are still homeless in Mecklenburg County. Although this number had been decreasing since April 2019, the number of actively homeless veterans increased in August. Despite the recent spike, since April 2019, veteran homelessness has decreased 9% (29 individuals).
In August, the inflow was 32 compared with an outflow of 26, resulting in a net increase of 6 individuals homeless. During the past quarter, the average inflow is 20 individuals, whereas the average outflow is 26. To continue to decrease in veteran homelessness, housing resources must be targeted to reduce inflow and increase outflow.
COORDINATED ENTRY
The Housing Data Snapshot has been updated with data for the fourth quarter. Data for July to September 2019 will be highlighted in the next data snapshot blog post. The Coordinated Entry data includes the number of 2-1-1 calls for housing assistance, the number of households referred for an in-person Coordinated Assessment, and the number of households who received an in-person Coordinated Assessment. In addition, a table is provided via this link to Coordinated Entry data for FY19.
SO, WHAT
In order to effectively address housing instability and homelessness, we must more completely understand the problem. Data provides us with a tool to do this. The data helps us understand the need of and demand for housing assistance.
When used effectively, these data points can inform decision-making around housing and homelessness. Working groups dedicated to reducing inflow and increasing outflow among chronic and veteran homelessness meet regularly to brainstorm and test methods that can create positive change. It is critical that these groups continue to examine the inflow and outflow patterns in relationship to changes in programs and policies.
More housing is needed. At the end of August, the total number of actively homeless veterans and chronically homeless individuals was 757. The total number of individuals currently homeless is 2,676. In addition, the average inflow numbers into homelessness for both further illustrate a continued need for housing. The numbers are also an important tool to estimate annual housing need for planners and funders.
To download the newest Housing Data Snapshot as a PDF, click here.
Mary Ann Priester is the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Administrator for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care (CoC). She provides data quality, security, and privacy oversight for the local HMIS system and technical support and training to 25+ agencies that serve individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Mary Ann also oversees data collection for the Point-in-Time Count.
Courtney Morton coordinates posts on the Building Bridges Blog. Courtney is the Housing & Homelessness Research Coordinator for Mecklenburg County Community Support Services. Courtney’s job is to connect data on housing instability, homelessness and affordable housing with stakeholders in the community so that they can use it to drive policy-making, funding allocation and programmatic change.
