Homelessness in Baltimore County

Sponsored by:Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless

(BCCH) 2008

Myths & Assumptions(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998)

MYTH #1: With today’s economy, anyone can get a job. Homeless people just don’t want to work.

FACT: According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 1997 Survey of 29 cities, almost 1 in 5 homeless persons is employed in a full- or part-time job. Eleven years later in Baltimore County this data remains the same or higher. (65% of the men are employed at the west side shelter)

Myths & Assumptions(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998)

MYTH #3: There are plenty of shelters and services for homeless people. People on the streets don’t want help.

FACT: In most areas, including Baltimore County, there are more people in need of shelter than available shelter beds. In FY 08 8,728 people were turned away from shelters.

Myths & Assumptions(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998)

MYTH #5: A homeless person could find housing, even with a minimum wage job.

FACT: A minimum wage worker earning $6.55/hour in Maryland would need to work 155 hours per week in order to afford a 2 Bedroom unit.

Would you be able to live on that income?

Myths & Assumptions(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998 & Baltimore County Point In Time Survey 2008)

MYTH #6: America’s generous welfare policies and extensive safety net prevent children from becoming homeless.

FACT: Declining welfare benefits and housing assistance have contributed to record numbers of children who experience homelessness in the US.

Approximately 1/3 of those in shelters in Baltimore County are children

What is the TRUTH about Baltimore County?(Baltimore County Homeless Management Information System, 2007, to date)

In 2008, Baltimore County identified 6,303 homeless people (5,400 were identified in 2007).

Of the 6,303 homeless people, 70% were women and children.

The #1 reason for homelessness in Baltimore County: INABILITY TO PAY RENT/INSUFFICIENT INCOME/LOST JOB

What is the Truth in the Baltimore County? (Baltimore County Point in Time Survey January, 2008)

67% were families 2,069 were children under the age of 17 9% were veterans 58% were homeless for the first time 41% Caucasian 56% African American

4% Hispanic

What Does Homelessness Look Like?

Single women Single men Two-parent intact families Single parent families Veterans Elderly Working individuals & parents Infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age

children, and teens College and post college educated

How Does Homelessness Happen? Lack of Affordable Housing Poverty: Effect of Income and Wages Physical & Mental Health Concerns Vulnerability of Single Parents & Extended Families Domestic Violence Effect of Political Trends & Influence Natural Disasters

ALL FACTORS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO HOMELESSNESS

Income, Wages, & Housing

A minimum wage worker at $6.15 per hour, working 40 hours per week, can afford a monthly rent not to exceed $341.00.

The fair market rent for a 2 bedroom unit in Baltimore County is $1,013.00 per month.

Availability of Affordable Housing

Barriers to moving into own home: Security deposits ( may be 2 months

rent plus first months rent needed) Cost of rising utilities Credit issues Lack of public transportation and child

care limits employment opportunities

Physical & Mental Health 2008: In Baltimore County 50% of homeless persons reported

no health insurance (Point in Time)

89% of these persons use the emergency room for care, some visiting over 100 times in 1 year

Chronic health problems difficult to treat and monitor mental & addictive disorders, hypertension, diabetes, and

HIV/AIDS

Other health problems frequently occurring in those that are homeless include cancer, incontinence, sores that don’t heal, respiratory infections, and high risk pregnancies

Physical & Mental Health

Limited long term resources for follow-up care for individuals leaving mental health facilities

Problems resulting directly from homelessness include cardiovascular, leg ulcers, upper respiratory infections, and frostbite

No follow up provided for treatment following an illness or respite for post surgery

Family Composition

Single parents and extended families areMore at risk for becoming homeless because;

they tend to have less financial resources

and have more environmental stress than two-parent intact families.

What about Children who Experience Homelessness?

1382 homeless children attended Baltimore County Public Schools during 2006-2007 school year.(1200 in 2007)

The Baltimore County emergency shelters have seen up to 110 children a night (2006).

How can I tell that a child may be homeless? Hunger & food hoarding Frequent fatigue Numerous absences

from school Inadequate hygiene or

grooming Emotionally needy

Aggressive or withdrawn behavior

Difficulty trusting Unattended

medical/dental needs Low self-esteem

What about the Elderly who experience homelessness?

Severe & harsh living conditions effect physical and mental state earlier.

50-65 year olds cannot receive Medicare

Monthly SSI benefits:$637 /average monthly (7/2008)—BELOW POVERTY LINE

Isolation effects mental capacity

Medically frail and more intensive medical needs

Why Should I Be Concerned About Homelessness? Many households are only two paychecks

or a medical illness away from homelessness.

Shelter is a basic human need.

It effects children and families and individuals.

It costs approximately $37,200 to shelter a family of 4 for one year. In comparison, to rent a 2 bedroom apartment costs approximately $13,000 per year.

What Can I Do About It?

Volunteer

Donate

Advocate

Educate

Participate

WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

Where can I get more general information about homelessness? Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless

(BCCH) A community-based group that, through public

education, advocacy, and action-oriented solutions, works to alleviate, and ultimately eliminate, homelessness in Baltimore County.

www.bcchcares.org National Alliance to End Homelessness www.endhomelessness.org National Law Center for Poverty and Homelessness www.nlchp.org

How Can I learn more about homelessness in my own community?

National Coalition for the Homeless www.nationalhomeless.org

National Center for the Education of Homelessness and Youth

www.naehcy.org

Sources1. Burt,M.R., Aron, L.Y., Douglas, T., Valented, J., et. al. (1999) Homelessness:

Programs and They Serve. Washington, DC: Interagency Council on the Homeless.

2. 2007 Baltimore County Point in Time Survey3. 2006 Office of Transitional Living Report on Homelessness4. Baltimore County Homeless Management Information System