Results from 2008 Homeless Census
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Joseph from Neighbors for Neighbors
Jan 4, 2008, 10:25:32 AM1/4/08
to Boston Homeless Census Volunteers
Hi Neighbors,
Although we did not directly participate in the homeless census, I
thought you might be interested in reading about the results released
today by city hall.
Mayor Menino Announces Decrease in Adult Homelessness on Boston's
Streets & Shelters
Census reveals on-going family homelessness crisis
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced preliminary results
from the 28th Annual City of Boston Homeless Census. On the night of
the census, Mayor Menino was joined by city officials, leaders of key
state agencies and more than 350 volunteers. Mayor Menino would like
to thank the homeless advocates and leaders of Boston's business, non-
profit and faith communities that participated in the annual street
count of unsheltered homeless persons two weeks ago.
"This census is a mixed picture once again. We saw a major
decrease in the number of homeless people living on the streets this
winter, combined with fewer adults in emergency shelter for the third
consecutive year. That is terrific news. The reason for that trend is
that more of these individuals are in permanent housing," Mayor Menino
said. "Our housing strategy has focused on moving elderly and disabled
individuals from the streets into permanent housing. This demonstrates
what I have always believed: housing is the solution to homelessness.
Where we have had the resources, we are having an impact."
During the census, more than 100 emergency shelter, transitional
housing, domestic violence, behavioral and medical health providers
responded to surveys in what is believed to be the longest-held and
most comprehensive count of homeless men, women and children in the
country. Mayor Menino also noted that key leaders of the State
Administration and the new leaders of the Boston Redevelopment
Authority, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston all joined him and
homeless advocates for the street count.
For the third year in a row, unaccompanied adult homeless numbers are
down, while family numbers have increased significantly. Lik other
major cities Boston bears the brunt of this unmet need. The City of
New York reported a record number of homeless families last year. The
number for families is higher for the third year in a row, meaning
that children continue to be our fastest growing homeless population.
"While we have increased our efforts to prevent homelessness among
families, keeping hundreds more housed and out of shelter, the
availability of federal and state funding for family housing has not
kept pace with the increased demand. Funding for rental assistance
programs like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is far
below what is needed," Mayor Menino added. "It is time for the
Federal government to recognize the growing crisis in family
homelessness and to target more resources toward solutions. The
Federal government is leaving families behind."
Other numbers:
2006-07 2007-08 % change
Adults
4,000 3,817 -4.6%
Street Count
306 184 -40%
Families (men, women and children)
2,535 3,084 +22%
Children
1,523 1,849 +21.4%
Total All Homeless
6,636 6,901 +3.9%
Mayor Menino and hundreds of volunteers participated in the City
of Boston Homeless Census last December 18th. The street figure is
combined with the one-night census numbers from all residential
homeless facilities to aggregate the total number of homeless on that
night in the city. With a total of 6,901 homeless men, women and
children, the overall number increased by 3.9 percent over last year's
total of 6,636.
"The Mayor has called for housing solutions, and we are
responding," said Jim Greene, Director of the Emergency Shelter
Commission. "The number of people living unsheltered on Boston's
streets decreased significantly and the emergency shelter and hospital
numbers did not increase. We have focused on the housing needs of the
elderly homeless population for the past three years, and this year
the Mayor launched the Boston Common Ground Housing Initiative with
the Boston Housing Authority and our homeless outreach and housing
partners. But the housing picture for low-income families continues to
be bleak without greater federal and state aid."
The City of Boston reports on emergency shelter and transitional
housing, domestic violence and unsheltered homeless populations as
required by HUD, but the aggregate number includes homeless
individuals and families in hospitals, medical respite, mental health,
detoxification and recovery home programs.
Jennifer B. Mehigan
Deputy Press Secretary
Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Office
Room 603 Boston City Hall,
Boston, MA 02201
Tel (617) 635 4461
Fax (617) 635 3020
Jennifer...@cityofboston.gov
Although we did not directly participate in the homeless census, I
thought you might be interested in reading about the results released
today by city hall.
Mayor Menino Announces Decrease in Adult Homelessness on Boston's
Streets & Shelters
Census reveals on-going family homelessness crisis
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced preliminary results
from the 28th Annual City of Boston Homeless Census. On the night of
the census, Mayor Menino was joined by city officials, leaders of key
state agencies and more than 350 volunteers. Mayor Menino would like
to thank the homeless advocates and leaders of Boston's business, non-
profit and faith communities that participated in the annual street
count of unsheltered homeless persons two weeks ago.
"This census is a mixed picture once again. We saw a major
decrease in the number of homeless people living on the streets this
winter, combined with fewer adults in emergency shelter for the third
consecutive year. That is terrific news. The reason for that trend is
that more of these individuals are in permanent housing," Mayor Menino
said. "Our housing strategy has focused on moving elderly and disabled
individuals from the streets into permanent housing. This demonstrates
what I have always believed: housing is the solution to homelessness.
Where we have had the resources, we are having an impact."
During the census, more than 100 emergency shelter, transitional
housing, domestic violence, behavioral and medical health providers
responded to surveys in what is believed to be the longest-held and
most comprehensive count of homeless men, women and children in the
country. Mayor Menino also noted that key leaders of the State
Administration and the new leaders of the Boston Redevelopment
Authority, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston all joined him and
homeless advocates for the street count.
For the third year in a row, unaccompanied adult homeless numbers are
down, while family numbers have increased significantly. Lik other
major cities Boston bears the brunt of this unmet need. The City of
New York reported a record number of homeless families last year. The
number for families is higher for the third year in a row, meaning
that children continue to be our fastest growing homeless population.
"While we have increased our efforts to prevent homelessness among
families, keeping hundreds more housed and out of shelter, the
availability of federal and state funding for family housing has not
kept pace with the increased demand. Funding for rental assistance
programs like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is far
below what is needed," Mayor Menino added. "It is time for the
Federal government to recognize the growing crisis in family
homelessness and to target more resources toward solutions. The
Federal government is leaving families behind."
Other numbers:
2006-07 2007-08 % change
Adults
4,000 3,817 -4.6%
Street Count
306 184 -40%
Families (men, women and children)
2,535 3,084 +22%
Children
1,523 1,849 +21.4%
Total All Homeless
6,636 6,901 +3.9%
Mayor Menino and hundreds of volunteers participated in the City
of Boston Homeless Census last December 18th. The street figure is
combined with the one-night census numbers from all residential
homeless facilities to aggregate the total number of homeless on that
night in the city. With a total of 6,901 homeless men, women and
children, the overall number increased by 3.9 percent over last year's
total of 6,636.
"The Mayor has called for housing solutions, and we are
responding," said Jim Greene, Director of the Emergency Shelter
Commission. "The number of people living unsheltered on Boston's
streets decreased significantly and the emergency shelter and hospital
numbers did not increase. We have focused on the housing needs of the
elderly homeless population for the past three years, and this year
the Mayor launched the Boston Common Ground Housing Initiative with
the Boston Housing Authority and our homeless outreach and housing
partners. But the housing picture for low-income families continues to
be bleak without greater federal and state aid."
The City of Boston reports on emergency shelter and transitional
housing, domestic violence and unsheltered homeless populations as
required by HUD, but the aggregate number includes homeless
individuals and families in hospitals, medical respite, mental health,
detoxification and recovery home programs.
Jennifer B. Mehigan
Deputy Press Secretary
Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Office
Room 603 Boston City Hall,
Boston, MA 02201
Tel (617) 635 4461
Fax (617) 635 3020
Jennifer...@cityofboston.gov
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