1. How Homelessness Affects Minnesotans at All Stages of Life
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Annual Conference
Presented by Michelle Decker Gerrard & Greg Owen
Wilder Research
September 13, 2018

2. Delve into details about special populations across the age span
Our goal today
Present characteristics about people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota
Delve into details about special populations across the age span
Discuss how these findings inform planning and impact programs and services

3. Overview of the Minnesota Homeless Study (2015)

4. Study background
Statewide study has been conducted every three years since 1991
Trained volunteer interviewers
Last conducted on October 22, 2015:
45 minute interviews in 300 shelters and programs; translated into Spanish and Somali
Outreach locations in 50+ cities, towns, and outlying areas

5. Homelessness in Minnesota: One-night count
Source: 2015 Fact sheet, Single night count.
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

6. Homelessness in Minnesota by age group
Children age 17 and younger
with their parents
Unaccompanied youth ages 24 and younger
Adults
25-54
Older adults ages 55+ 9%
35%
39%
16%
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

7. 5 reasons people are homeless

8. Homeless adults with full-time jobs
26% in 2000
vs. 6% in vs. 14% in 2015 1
Lack of employment
Source: Trends and characteristics fact sheet; 2015 employment data tables
After reaching a low-point in 2009, employment rates are up somewhat. The median length of time unemployed is unchanged from 2012.
2009 6%.
Transportation: Most common modes of transit were
city/local bus (56%)
light rail (33%)
car (own or someone else’s) (31%)
Men are more likely to use public transit and bicycles, women are more likely to use a car
Car and bike use are more common in greater MN (47% and 15%, respectively) than in the metro (23% and 8%).
Barriers to transportation:
32% say the cost to ride prevents them from using transit
24% say service is not available at times they need it (30% in greater MN)
19% say service not available near them (27% in greater MN)
17% say confusion about service schedules prevents them from using public transit
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

9. Median length of time unemployed
7 months in 2000
vs.
16 months in vs. 23 months in 2015 1
Lack of employment
Source: Trends and characteristics fact sheet; 2015 employment data tables
After reaching a low-point in 2009, employment rates are up somewhat. The median length of time unemployed is unchanged from 2012.
months
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

10. 2 46% of homeless adults On wait list for subsidized housing
There is not enough affordable housing
Source: Trends and characteristics fact sheet.
Wait list is up from 41% in 2012; can’t get on wait list is down from 15%.
Median wait time = 4 months, Average wait time = 11 months
Can’t get on a waiting list because it is closed
Another 14%
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

11. Twin Cities metro incomes of homeless adults vs. housing costs2
There is not enough affordable housing
Median income: $550 per month
Source: Trends and characteristics fact sheet .
Median income is up from $381 in 2009.
Fair Market Rent for 1 BR is $796
Median rent:
$950 per month
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

12. 3 Chronic health conditions of homeless adults
Serious mental
illness
3,333 (60%*)
Chronic health
conditions
2,851 (51%)
Substance abuse disorder
1,153 (21%)
None of these disabilities: 1,240 (22%)
Many homeless people face obstacles to maintaining housing
NEED TO RESIZE THE VENN DIAGRAM
Mention TBI (30% of adults)
MI ONLY 18% 986
CH ONLY 15% 820
SA ONLY 1% 83
CH + MI 24% 1339
SA + CH 1% 62
SA + MI 7% 379
CH + MI + SA 11% 629
NONE 22% 1240
Multiple 44% 2409
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey
*This number should not be compared to the 2012 percentage for significant mental illness because anxiety or panic disorder was added to the 2015 survey.

13. Many homeless people face obstacles to maintaining housing
women 3
Nearly in
Many homeless people face obstacles to maintaining housing
Source: Trends and characteristics fact sheet.
Up from 1 in 4 in 2012 ( 27%); youth and adult is similar (31%, 30%)
left their last housing because of abuse
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

14. Many homeless people face obstacles to maintaining housing
Been in jail or prison 3
Nearly
1 in 3 homeless adult women
Many homeless people face obstacles to maintaining housing
Source: 2015 detailed data table. Perhaps show men and women separately?
Ever in correctional facility = 49% ; men= 63%, women= 30%
Of those, in last 2 years: 41%; men=43%, women= 37%
Nearly
2 in 3 homeless adult men
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

15. Homelessness is often preceded by childhood trauma and abuse
39% of adults were physically abused as a child
46% of youth were physically abused as a child 4
Homelessness is often preceded by childhood trauma and abuse
Source: 2015 Trends and Characteristics fact sheet
2015 numbers are age 24 and younger
2012 (age 21 and younger): 58% had been in out-of-home placement; 55% had been abused or neglected
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

16. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Type of ACE
Adults (age 18 or older)
Youth (age 24 or younger)
Physically abused as a child
39%
46%
Sexually abused as a child
25%
30%
Neglected as a child
19%
29%
Out-of-home placements as a child (ever for youth)a
33%
61%
During childhood, had a parent serve time in prison
18%
47%
Witnessed abuse as a child
60%
Lived with substance abuser as a child
50%
Lived with parent/guardian with mental illness
37%
48%
At least one of the above
74%
89%

17. 5 5% of adults in Minnesota 39% of adult homeless population
African Americans make up 5
There are ripple effects from discriminatory practices
Source: 2015 Trends and characteristics fact sheet
2012 – overall percentage of population same (5%); 38% of homeless population.
5% of adults in Minnesota
39% of adult homeless population
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

18. There are ripple effects from discriminatory practices
American Indians make up 5
There are ripple effects from discriminatory practices
Source: 2015 Trends and characteristics fact sheets
These numbers reflect non-reservation populations statewide; when reservation respondents are added to the calculations, American Indians make up 12% of homeless adults and 12% of homeless youth
2012: were also 1% of population is same – 1%; – 10% percent of homeless population. Similar for your youth – 1% of overall pop.; 9% of homeless
1% of adults in Minnesota
8% of adult homeless population
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

19. 5 Disproportionately LGBTQ 9% are LGBQ (3.5% of U.S. population)
Homeless adults
9% are LGBQ (3.5% of U.S. population)
1% are transgender (0.6% of MN population)
Homeless youth are, too
17% of homeless youth (under 25) are LGBQ
2% are transgender
There are ripple effects from discriminatory practices
LGB rate also includes questioning (1.3% of adults, 1.6% of youth).
Adult LGBT rate is 9% because most trans people also identify as LGB or Q.
Youth LGBT rate is 18%.
Proportion of U.S. population that’s LGB:
Proportion of MN population that’s T:
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

20. Seven trends in homelessness
2000 – 2015

21. 1 Total number of homeless families
The number of homeless families increased during the recession

22. Chronic health conditions of homeless adults2
Mental health and physical health issues are increasing
Source: Trends and characteristics fact sheet
Physical and mental health issues are persistent and increasing among the homeless
This trend line does not include anxiety and panic disorder (if included, the number is 60%); but “serious mental illness” still includes 6 diagnoses
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

23. 3 Employment rates among homeless adults
Employment is rebounding after the recession
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

24. SNAP use during the previous month SNAP use dropped for the first time4
SNAP use dropped for the first time
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

25. 5 Length of current homeless episode
A higher proportion of homeless adults have been homeless longer
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

26. 6 Homeless adults who have lived in Minnesota more than two years
Homelessness is persistently home-grown
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

27. 7 Proportion of homeless women fleeing abuse
Women fleeing abuse are at their highest proportion
Wilder Research, Statewide Homeless Survey

28. Children in families

29. Homeless parents reported the following:
Children experiencing homelessness often have health and development problems
16% said their child had no dental care in the previous year
25% said they had a child with an emotional or behavioral problem
46% said they had a school- aged child with a learning problem
34% said their child had been a victim of bullying

30. Homeless youth on their own in Minnesota

31. Youth homelessness by the numbers
1,463 youth identified on night of 2015 study
Youth on their own age 24 and younger are 16% of homeless population
We estimate that 6,000 youth experience homelessness on any given night
In 2015, the definition of “youth” expanded to age 24, so counts cannot be directly compared to previous studies
Youth homelessness by the numbers

32. Location of homeless youth
Greater Minnesota
7-county metro area
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

33. Demographics and background: Homeless youth
58%
Female
18%
LGBTQ
96%
born in the United States
72%
Grew up in Minnesota
73%
Persons of color
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

34. KEY FINDINGS Youth homelessness
Racial disparities are particularly glaring
Many youth have children of their own
9 out of 10 youth had at least one adverse childhood experience, including trauma and abuse
The majority of youth have serious health issues including mental health and chronic physical health problems

35. KEY FINDINGS Youth homelessness
Youth are least likely to use shelters and many are long-term homeless
Over half have experienced violence and exploitation related to their housing or homeless situation
Compared to the general population of high school youth, minor youth experiencing homelessness have experienced some greater risk factors

36. Health issues: Homeless youth
Significant mental illness
Chronic physical health problems
Substance Abuse Disorder
Evidence of traumatic brain injury
At least one of the above
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

37. Education and employment: Homeless youth
91%
Of those under 18 were enrolled in school
42%
were employed (30% for all adults)
68%
Of those had completed high school or a GED
16%
were employed full-time
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

38. Youth: Experience with homelessness
47% homeless for at least a year 56% met the Minnesota definition of long-term homeless 47% couch hopped in the past month (October)
30% had stayed outside in the past month (October)
24% Turned away from shelter in the past month
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

39. Special populations: Youth parents
35% of youth are parents, 26% have children with them
For female youth, 48% are parents, 41% have children with them
Youth parents are more likely to be employed full- time (21% vs. 15% of non-parenting youth)
Youth parents are more likely to be homeless at least a year (60% vs. 42%), and less likely to experience mental illness (49% vs. 60%)
Youth parents most depend on SNAP (82%) and WIC (64%)

40. LGBTQ youth: Violence
73% were physically or sexually abused as a child (47% of other homeless youth)
48% have stayed in an abusive relationship due to lack of other housing options (30% of others)
30% have been physically or sexually attacked while homeless (16% of others)
Patterns are similar for youth:
- 73% of homeless LGBTQ youth were physically or sexually abused as a child (47% of other homeless youth)
- 48% stayed in abusive relationship (30% of others)
- 30% physically or sexually attacked while homeless (16% of others)

41. Who are the homeless older adults in MN?

42. Good news and bad news for older adults…
Relatively small numbers of older adults are experiencing homelessness in MN
Adults age 55 and older are 9% of homeless population

43. But the number is increasing...
Up 48% from 2009 to 2012 and 8% from 2012 to 2015
777
526

44. Age distribution: Homeless older adults
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

45. Location of homeless older adults
Greater Minnesota
7-county metro area
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

46. Demographics and background: Homeless older adults
73%
Male
31%
of men had served in the U.S. military
94%
born in the United States
63%
had lived in Minnesota for 20+ years
52%
Persons of color
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

47. KEY FINDINGS Older adult homelessness
Older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups of people experiencing homelessness
Nearly all homeless adults are under age 75
The increasing number of homeless older adults with high rates of complex health conditions are cause for concern
People of color make up half of homeless older adults; racial disparities are severe

48. KEY FINDINGS Older adult homelessness
Nearly half of older adults did not become homeless until they were age 50 or older
Most homeless older adults rely on public benefits
Barriers related to criminal background or chemical dependency make it more difficult to obtain stable housing

49. Older adults experience with homelessness
60% homeless for at least a year 51% met the federal definition of chronic homelessness 30% homeless for the first time
39% had stayed outside in the past month (October)
42 Average age for first episode of homelessness
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

50. Health and well-being: Older adults
Chronic health problems
Are not taking required medications
Need to see a professional about a physical health problem
Need to see a dentist
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

51. Health and well-being: Older adults
Serious mental health problems
Cognitive difficulties
Traumatic brain injury history
Alcohol or drug abuse disorder
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

52. Health and well-being: Older adults
89% reported a serious or chronic disability that limits work or activities of daily living
Reported physical, mental or other health conditions that
limit their ability to work
61%
make it hard to bathe, eat, get dressed, get in or out of bed, or get around
21%
Wilder Research, 2015 Statewide Homeless Survey

53. Conclusions and considerations
A few takeaways
Conclusions and considerations

54. Conclusions Youth and families Lack of affordable housing
Intervene early to break the cycle of homelessness
Experiences of trauma
Older adults
Lack of affordable housing
Need supports to keep them housed
Serious health issues

55. Pathways in and out of homelessness
Near homeless
Homeless
Non-shelter-using
Emergency
Transitional
Risk factors
Permanent
housing

56. Potential intervention points:
Prevention of homelessness
Near homeless
Homeless
Non-shelter-using
Emergency
Transitional
Risk factors
Permanent
housing
Strengthen the safety net
Mental and chemical health treatment
Discharge planning
Stabilize housing that is precarious
Safety net: Affordable housing, EITC, rent subsidies, TANF, GA, job training, transportation, health care, child care
Discharge planning: Help find housing for those leaving foster care, residential treatment, jail or prison
Mental/chemical health treatment: More available, more affordable, culturally relevant
For those precariously housed: Emergency rent, utilities, landlord/bank mediation

57. Potential intervention points:
Rapid response to homelessness
Near homeless
Homeless
Non-shelter-using
Emergency
Transitional
Risk factors
Permanent
housing
Immediate triage: identify needs, connect to resources
Affordable / subsidized housing
Community safety net services
Immediate triage: Identify needs, connect with resources
Placement in permanent or transitional housing with supports
Availability of affordable or subsidized housing
Availability of community "safety net" services
wilderresearch.org

58. Potential intervention points:
End long-term homelessness
Near homeless
Homeless
Non-shelter-using
Emergency
Transitional
Risk factors
Permanent
housing
Outreach
Treatment
Variety of supportive housing
Availability of affordable / subsidized housing
Community safety net services
NOTE THE SHO+ FINDING THAT PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BECOME HOMELESS AGAIN IF THEY EXIT TO SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
-- TH residents 68% no new episodes if subsidized, vs. 49% if unsubsidized
Outreach
Treatment
Variety of subsidized and supported housing opportunities, including "low-demand" housing
Market (unsubsidized) housing
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing
Group residential housing
Tenant-based subsidized housing
Project-based subsidized housing
“Permanent” supportive housing, including “low-demand” housing
Availability of community "safety net" services
wilderresearch.org

59. Considerations
How can case managers best identify and respond to these highly vulnerable populations differently of people experiencing homelessness?
Where do we feel we are succeeding (and where are we failing) in supporting these populations?

60. Next Wilder MN Homeless Study
October 25, 2018
Volunteer opportunities through Wilder
Spreading the word to the homeless community
Companion study on American Indian reservations

61. To learn more about homelessness in Minnesota go to: wilderresearch
To learn more about homelessness in Minnesota go to: wilderresearch.org mnhomeless.org