Homelessness in Nevada County
Joint Cities/Town/County Meeting
January 26, 2012
Jeff Brown, Director
Nevada County Health & Human Services
Homelessness in America
 650,000 homeless on any one night
 1.6 million people spend at least 1 shelter/night
annually; up to 3 million homeless annually
 California has 21% of all homeless (10% of pop.)
 2/3rds individuals & 1/3rd families
 22% shelter individuals under 18 years of age
 23% shelter individuals 18-30 years of age
 Since 2007 shelter use decreased 17% in cities &
increased 57% in rural areas
Homelessness in America
 Serious mental illness – 26%
 Substance abuse – 35%
 HIV/AIDS – 4%
 Domestic violence victims – 12%
 Unaccompanied youth – 1%
2011 Homeless Count
 190 individuals (vs 345 individual 2009)
 Chronically homeless – 21%
 Veterans – 6%
 Severely mentally ill - 25%
 Chronic substance abuse – 26%
 HIV/AIDS – 1%
 Domestic violence victims – 15%
2009 Homeless Count
 345 Individuals
 Sex – 68% Male 32% Female
 Transitional Aged Youth 18-24 years – 29%
 Veterans – 13%
2009 Homeless Count - Race/Ethnicity
 Caucasian – 89.9%
 American Indian – 7.1%
 Hispanic – 6.3%
 African American – 2.6%
 Other – 1.6%
2009 Homeless Count Housing Barriers
 Disabled – 55%
 Chronic substance abuse – 40%
 Physically Disabled – 31%
 Mental Illness – 31%
 Co-occurring disorder – 13%
 Learning disabilities – 9%
 HIV/AIDS – 1%
 Past Foster Care – 43%
 Domestic/family violence – 13%
2009 Homeless Count Service Needs
 Permanent Housing
 Financial Assistance
 Food or Meals
 Health Care
 Education/ Job Training
 Transitional Housing
240
201
199
168
164
160
69.7%
58.4%
57.8%
48.6%
47.6%
46.5%
2009 Homeless Count Service Needs
 Clothing
134
 Mental Health Treatment 118
 Drop-In Center
114
 Emergency Shelter
127
 Alcohol/Drug Treatment
58
 DV Counseling
28
38.9%
34.1%
33.0%
26.8%
16.8%
8.1%
Government Resources
Financial Assistance
 General Assistance (GA)
 CalWORKS
 SSI
Food
 CalFRESH (aka Food Stamps)
 Women Infant Children’s (WIC) Program
Government Resources
Shelter
 Regional Housing Authority Section 8 Housing
Choice Vouchers
 Shelter + Care
 Mental Health Services Act Supported Housing
Medical
 Medi-Cal
 County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
Community Resources
 Food Programs
 Emergency Shelter
 Transitional Housing
 Supportive Housing
 One Stop Employment Center