Federal Perspectives on Unsheltered Homelessness Abbilyn Miller, PhD Policy and Data Analyst Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs, HUD

National Scale 2016 PIT Count data shows that: Nearly 550,000 people experience homelessness on any given day Approximately 176,000 people were staying in unsheltered locations 89% of those in unsheltered locations were individuals not in families Depends on who you’re talking about. Homeless individuals make up most of the unsheltered population. Only 6000 people in families were counted as unsheltered in the 2016 PIT, down from 17,000 in 2010.

National Progress BUT community reporting on 2017 PIT Count data shows rise in unsheltered homelessness The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness has certainly decreased over the past 9 years, but communities across the country are reporting 2017 Point in Time numbers that show that homelessness, especially unsheltered, is increasing.

Where do people live unsheltered?

Characteristics of unsheltered homelessness More likely than sheltered households to have: History of military service, incarceration or foster care Reported use of drugs and alcohol Less education Use of informal income sources Longer durations of homelessness (5+ years) Higher rates of almost all high risk conditions measured by the Vulnerability Index Demographically, more likely to be male and white or other/mixed race

Risk and Protective factors Risk Factors Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender persons, especially youth, are at greater risk of homelessness and unsheltered homelessness, as well as sexual exploitation once on the streets Persons with sex offenses are at greater risk of unsheltered homelessness Protective Factors For women, a few factors have been identified as being potentially protective against living unsheltered: Access to entitlement-based income Substance use treatment

Decreasing Unsheltered Homelessness All crisis response engagements emphasize: Personal strengths Maintenance and development of positive identity Personal choice

Components of an effective crisis response system Follows a low-barrier, housing first approach Is housing focused (including Street outreach) Promotes “flow” through the system People are diverted from homelessness whenever possible Prioritizes most expensive interventions for those with the longest histories of homelessness and the most severe needs Use of the new joint component: TH-RRH

Challenges for the Field Incorporating consumer perspectives and using lived experience as a valid form of policy creation and program design Reframing people living unsheltered as people with legitimate unmet needs Taking steps to make family shelter and individual shelter services more comparable and housing focused Incorporating robust acknowledgement of privacy needs in design and planning of crisis response system