HOMELESS SUMMIT

May 6, 2011

Pamela S. Meyer, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Thanks to all who participated in the Point-In-Time Survey

City of Corpus Christi

HIP Board

Community Volunteers

TAMUCC students and faculty

METHODSThe survey included questions concerning:

1) basic demographic information such as age, sex, marital status, educational attainment veteran status and race/ethnicity;

2) history of homelessness;

3) access to health care;

4) disabilities; and

5) services received and needed

METHODS The survey was

administered to homeless persons on the street and in shelters using the “known locations” methodology.

Locations throughout the Corpus Christi and Nueces County area where homeless persons are known to congregate were identified.

METHODS

Teams of survey interviewers canvassed each location on January 25 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. and surveyed and counted all persons in the area who identified themselves as homeless.

One team went to Timmons Ministries from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on January 25 to interview the homeless who frequent this establishment for lunch.

INTERVIEW LOCATIONFrequency Percent

Valid

Percent

On street 25 3.9 3.9

Ark 35 5.4 5.4

Charlie's Place 40 6.2 6.2

Hope House 8 1.2 1.2

Good Samaritan 126 19.5 19.5

Mission 911 10 1.5 1.6

Metro Ministries

Rainbow/Rustic

93 14.4 14.4

Recovery Contacts 28 4.3 4.3

Salvation Army 59 9.1 9.1

Search for Truth 18 2.8 2.8

Victory Home 39 6.0 6.0

Wenholz House 59 9.1 9.1

Women's Shelter 14 2.2 2.2

Robstown/Rev. beck 68 10.5 10.5

Timons/Flour Bluff 23 3.6 3.6

Total 645 99.8 100.0

Missing 1 .2

TOTAL 646 100.0

DEMOGRAPHICS: NUMBER

646 SURVEYS

of these 220 “counted”

ADULTS = 611

CHILDREN= 129*

TOTAL = 740

*noted in surveys and 35 from ARK

DEMOGRAPHICS: AGE AND SEX(N=538 FOR SEX; N= 485 FOR AGE)

Respondent’s Age

CC Mean: 43.12 years

TX Mean: 43.00 years

Male: 46.72 years

Female: 34.52 years

DEMOGRAPHICS: RACE/ETHNICITY(N=477)

DEMOGRAPHICS: HISPANIC(N=415)

DEMOGRAPHICS: EDUCATION(N =402)

DEMOGRAPHICS: WHERE BORN(N=405)

Majority of respondents were born in Texas

Only 6 were foreign born

DEMOGRAPHICS: MARITAL STATUS(N=402)

DEMOGRAPHICS: FAMILY TYPE(N=402)

DEMOGRAPHICS: VETERANS(N=401)

Veterans were 18.20% of local sample.

• Veterans were 20% of Texas sample in 2010.

30% of local veterans receive veteran’s benefits.

The majority served in Vietnam (47.1%).

• 13.7% served in Desert Storm (Kuwait)

ON PAROLE OR PROBATION?

WHERE SLEPT?(N=428 for last night; N=420 for normally)

DIAGNOSED DISABILITY?

Of the 390 who answered this question, 49.7% of the respondents reported having a diagnosed disability

• Mental illness was the most frequent response followed by alcohol and drug abuse

REPORTED DIAGNOSED DISABILITIES

LENGTH OF HOMELESSNESS

LENGTH OF HOMELESSNESS

LENGTH OF HOMELESSNESS(N=402)

REASONS FOR BECOMING HOMELESS

REASONS FOR REMAINING HOMELESS

REASONS FOR BECOMING HOMELESS BY RESPONDENT’S SEX

REASONS FOR BECOMING HOMELESS BY RESPONDENT’S SEX

Women are more likely (than men) to become homeless due to: Domestic violence

Family/personal illness

Eviction

Men are more likely (than women) to become homeless due to: Incarceration

EMPLOYMENT STATUS(N=407)

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

50.5% of those surveyed are employed full-time (n=55)

Of those who work full-time, 58.2% have regular employment

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

49.5% of those surveyed are employed part-time (n=54)

Of those who work part-time, 50% have regular employment

SERVICES (actual number who answered question)

SERVICES(% of those who answered question)

MOST NEEDED SERVICES

When asked what services respondents needed the MOST, the top answers to the open ended question were:

• HOUSING (N=90)

• JOB PLACEMENT (N=57)

• SOCIAL SECURITY/SSI (N=40)

• DENTAL CARE (N=27)

• TRANSPORTATION (N=18)

• MEDICAL CARE (N=16)

• JOB TRAINING (N=13)

CHILDREN

Children make up 17.4%of the homeless count/survey.

SEX:Male = 56%

Female = 44%

• 9% receive child support.

• 12.3% receive services through CPS.

CHILDREN: AGE(N=129)

SUMMARY• Majority are white and non-Hispanic

• Majority are male

• Majority are single (80.2%) but a significant percentage are families with children (14.6%)

• 39.5% of those surveyed reported having cases of chronic homelessness (4 or more episodes of homelessness in last 3 years)

• Permanent housing was the most frequent “need” reported followed by dental care and job placement

THINK ABOUT IT!

“There are different categories of homelessness. Some homeless people have mental problems, some have drinking problems, some just ran out of luck, and some are dealing with a combination of issues. You can’t have a one-size-fits-all policy. You have to have a number of programs focused on different aspects of the problem.”

-David Snow and Leon Anderson

Down on Their Luck: A Study of Homeless Street People (1993)

MOTHER TERESA NOTESAt the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection.

Thanks for all you do!