Foreclosure to Homelessness Presented at Foreclosures in Wisconsin: Responses and Resources for Living Beyond the Bubble M William Sermons Director, HRI

Report released in June, 2009

Current Snapshot on Homelessness Approximately 670,000 homeless at point in time; 1,600,000 use shelter system each year. 20% meet chronic homeless definition 37% persons in families – often mother with 1-2 children Decreases in overall (10%), chronic (28%), and family(18%) from 05’ – 07’. No change in any subpopulations 07’ – 08’. Increase in 08’ in people coming from housing (rented/owned or with family or friends) into shelter system.

Summary of Methodology 20-question Survey of 178 agencies that serve homeless people. All four Census regions represented: 21% from Midwest Homeless shelters, legal services, health care, transitional/permanent housing, food pantry, etc.

Core Question Of all clients you’ve served who have become homeless during the last 12 months, what percentage (must add up to 100)…  Were evicted after a landlord’s property went into foreclosure: ______%  Were homeowners who lost the homes they were living in: ______%  Were homeless for reasons that did not involve foreclosure: ______%

Major Findings 79% of providers reported at lease some clients were homeless due to foreclosure. Overall median response: 10%. Among housing (shelter/transitional/permanent) providers: 5%. 5:1 ratio of renters to owners. “With family or friends” and emergency shelter most common post-foreclosure living situations. Most common services being provided in communities: counseling to prevent foreclosure, free or pro-bono legal assistance, and cash assistance.

Most Common Reasons for Homelessness Job loss Drug/alcohol problems Asked to leave by family/friends Family/domestic violence Incarceration

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