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1997 LICKING COUNTY HOUSING FORUM: Homelessness
Each year over 2,000 Licking County residents find themselves without housing, sometimes for an extended period of time. The 1990 Census figures reported nine sheltered homeless individuals in the City of Newark and zero unsheltered individuals on a single night. However, social service agencies do not believe this to be an accurate figure. In 1994, local social service agencies in Newark recorded an average of approximately 125 inquires per month from individuals seeking housing. (City of Newark, Consolidated Plan)
Recently a Housing Needs Survey was conducted by the Licking County Coalition for Housing in order to obtain data from organizations working with homeless populations. The data covers the time period of April 1, 1996 through April 1, 1997. The results follow:
- Community agencies served over 1060 homeless individuals during this period, but at least another 296 went "unserved". It must be noted that not all agencies record homeless individuals NOT served by their programs, so 296 is probably a conservative estimate. Local agencies appear to be recommending an additional 60 emergency, transitional and permanent housing units for homeless individuals.
- Roughly 120 homeless individuals were not served by existing transitional housing options, most likely due to an insufficient number of housing units available. However, LCCH was expanding the number of transitional units in its program during this period from S to nearly 30, and expanded its program to include individuals in addition to families.
- The community provided emergency shelter to over 700 homeless individuals (via Salvation Army and New Beginnings) during this period.
- The community provided transitional housing to over 300 homeless persons in families (at least 220 of which were children) during this period. However, at least another 580 persons (including children) were not provided transitional housing. Of these families, at least 30 had a family member that could be described as a Chronic Substance Abuser, Seriously Mentally Ill, Dually-Diagnosed (any person having a mental health issue compounded by a substance abuse situation) or Persons with Other Disabilities. Another 10 families were Victims of Domestic Violence.
- In general, over 1100 homeless individuals in families were provided emergency, transitional, or permanent housing during this period. Over 1300 other homeless persons in families were unable to obtain such housing. At this point, we can only assume this situation is due to lack of sufficient housing options, or a lack of fit between programs available and services needed by the applicants.
In Licking County, economic factors and lack of affordable housing are thought to be the main causes of homelessness. For those families on public assistance, particularly those without subsidized housing, homelessness may be inevitable, considering the 1990 Census report that indicates the median gross rent in Licking County was $357 per month, which equaled 90.3% of the monthly gross income of these individuals. (CHIS) Since 1990, rent prices have drastically increased, especially in the western portion of the county.
Even though the unemployment rate for Licking County is below the state average, it is often difficult for low skilled individuals to find and maintain employment Many employers choose to locate on the fringe of the cities and the lack of public ~asportation makes it virtually impossible for those on a limited budget to provide their own means of transportation. It is a vicious cycle which has no positive ending unless these individuals find help. In the Plan, a priority needs summary table can be found which identifies priority homeless needs. High priority needs include outreach assessment, emergency shelters, and transitional housing. Medium priority exists for permanent supportive housing and permanent housing.
Licking County has a wealth of social service agencies currently addressing these issues relating to homelessness. According to the CHAOS, The Salvation Army operates Newark's only emergency shelter. There is no set limit to the number of nights allowed, however, 4 to 5 weeks is currently an average stay. The New Beginnings facility, operated by Family Counseling Services, provides shelter for female victims of domestic violence. Together, these agencies provided emergency shelter to over 700 homeless individuals during 1996-1997. Independence House, a transitional housing program, is operated by the Licking County Coalition for Housing that served 164 people (89 children) in FY 1997. The only day shelter is operated by the Mental Health Association of Licking County. It provides a place for people to stop in for assistance and a snack.
The 1997 Housing Needs Survey conducted by the Licking County Coalition for Housing provided a means for local agencies to describe the current need for housing. One question in the survey asked those agencies to identify the number of housing units needed for two categories: individuals and lrrrsons in families with children. The following table illustrates the results.
| NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS NEEDED |
| |
Individual |
Families with Children |
| Emergency Shelter |
20 |
13 |
| Transitional |
23 |
9 |
| Permanent Housing |
21 |
31 |
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These figures don't take into account those on the verge of homelessness. "Most of the people who come to us are impending homeless rather than actually being homeless (L.E.AD.S.) As rent prices continue to increase county-wide, the threat of homelessness becomes more real to many individuals and families. Through the support of the local social service agencies and other community organizations, this threat can be averted.
According to the City of Newark One Year Use of Funds/Action Plan, in fiscal year 1997 $198,000 will be used for programs which will help prevent homelessness and $39,000 will be used for programs that directly assist the homeless population.
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