Homelessness

Date posted: 08/27/2008

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 'The Third Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress', adult men (69%) were the predominant population of sheltered individuals in 2007 and about 20% of homeless people came from either an in-patient medical facility or correctional institution.

The federal definition regards a homeless person as: 'One who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate address, or has a primary nighttime residence in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter for temporary accommodations'. Nationally, 1% of the general population is the estimate of the homeless community, according to the Urban Institute. Therefore, Larimer County could have over 2,600 homeless residents during the course of a year.

Counting the homeless population in Larimer County is an inexact science. How the many sources of housing for the homeless count the homeless population is unclear, as the same person may be counted more than once, and many homeless people do not come in contact with available resources.

Catholic Charities Northern - The Mission

460 Linden Center Drive, Fort Collins

The Mission provides overnight shelter, meals, case management, emergency food assistance, personal care items, transportation, and utility and prescription assistance. People can stay at The Mission up to a month depending on their effort to increase self-sufficiency. In 2007-2008 slightly less than 16% of adults staying at The Mission were employed, but at wages too low to afford sufficient housing (see Self-Sufficient Wages). The shelter currently has 18 beds, with 10 spots for overflow when the need is greater. They also have a transitional housing section that can support 7 families.

Charts:

• Quarterly Count of Individuals and People in Families Sheltered
• Gender of Adult Individuals Sheltered
• Characteristics of People Sheltered
• Race and Ethnicity of People Sheltered

What this chart shows: Quarterly Count of People Sheltered at The Mission, 2006-2008

Data Source: Catholic Charities Northern - Fort Collins

See data table

What these data tell us:

From 2006 through the first half of 2008, the number of people in families sheltered at The Mission fluctuated seasonally, usually peaking during the third calendar quarter. This could be due to ease of traveling during the summer months for those looking for work. Catholic Charities staff estimate that the average length of stay for single individuals ranges from six to eight weeks, while the average length of stay for families is around two months. The amount of time spent at the shelter varies based on the needs of each person and their situation.

The number of individuals staying in the shelter is on the rise again. Catholic Charities staff suggests this may be due to the slowdown in the economy, and the high cost of fuel and health care. In addition, Catholic Charities has seen a rise in the number of homeless families arriving in Colorado from other states.

What this chart shows: Visitors to The Mission by Gender and Age Type, 2007-2008

Data Source: Catholic Charities Northern - Fort Collins

See data table

What this chart shows: Characteristics of People Sheltered at The Mission, 2007-2008

Data Source: Catholic Charities Northern - Fort Collins

See data table

What these data tell us: Individuals at the Mission can declare more than one characteristic. For example, a veteran could be physically disabled and unemployed, or someone with a severe mental illness may also be dependent on drugs.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless there are two factors responsible for the increase in homelessness over the last 20-25 years: the growing shortage of affordable housing and the increase in poverty. Last year in Larimer County, the largest percentage of people helped by The Mission was the unemployed (23.8%). For some, substance abuse and/or mental illness also contribute to homelessness, although it is believed that if supportive housing and treatment were readily available, this group would be less likely to be homeless.

What this chart shows: Race/Ethnicity of Visitors Sheltered - The Mission, 2007-2008

Data Source: Catholic Charities Northern - Fort Collins

See data table

Charts:

• Number of Individuals and Families Sheltered (by quarter)
• Percentage of Visitors by Gender and Age
• Characteristics of People Sheltered at The Mission
• Race and Ethnicity of Visitors Sheltered

The Open Door Mission

316 Jefferson, Fort Collins

This shelter provides overnight and daytime shelter, three daily meals (breakfast and dinner only on the weekends), employment, addiction counseling, bible classes, and counseling. The Fresh Start Program offers extended stay and counseling for clients trying to start a new life.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

• Affordable Rent
• Domestic Violence
• Economy - Individual
• Subsidized Housing
• Transients at Larimer County Detention Center
• Unemployment Rate

Outside Compass -

• Alternatives to Violence
• Catholic Charities Northern (CCN)
• America's Youngest Outcasts, a March 2009 report by The National Center on Family Homelessness
• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
• Crossroads Safehouse
• Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing
• Loveland/Berthoud Interfaith Hospitality Network
• National Alliance to End Homelessness
• Park School District
• Poudre School District
• National Coalition for the Homeless
• United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Thompson School District

Standards or Targets: N/A

Data Tables:

Quarterly Counts for The Mission 2006-2008

Calendar Quarters	The Mission
	Individuals	People in Families
1st - 2006	142	16
2nd - 2006	144	12
3rd - 2006	153	35
4th - 2006	151	31
1st - 2007	156	37
2nd - 2007	153	34
3rd - 2007	154	41
4th - 2007	143	29
1st - 2008	130	29
2nd - 2008	196	49

See chart - The Mission

Percentage of Visitors by Gender & Age, 2007-2008

	Catholic Charities The Mission
	Number	Percentage
Male Adult	500	78.6%
Female Adult	74	11.6%
Total Youth	62	9.7%

See chart - The Mission

Characteristics of People Sheltered at The Mission - 2007-2008

Characteristic	Number of People
Unemployed	223
Alcohol and Drugs	174
Employed	146
Physically Disabled	112
Veterans	92
Severe Mentally Ill	86
SMI* and Alcohol & Drugs	54
Domestic Violence	20
Elderly	16
Migrant Farmer	2
Developmentally Disabled	1

See chart

Race/Ethnicity of People Sheltered at The Mission 2007-2008

	The Mission
	American Indian	Asian/Pacific Islander	African American	Caucasian	Hispanic	Other
2007-08 #	24	3	44	553	85	12
2007-08 %	3.3%	0.4%	6.1%	76.7%	11.8%	1.7%

See Chart

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