Higher Cost of Housing Increases Homelessness

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 07, 2015

In the first five years of implementing Washington County's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, a 44 percent decrease in homelessness was reported across all household types. This decrease between 2008-2013 represented 340 people and included families with children, individuals and unaccompanied youth. The initial success of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness was based on the housing-first model that provided housing choice in community-based market rate housing.

Recently however, homelessness in Washington County appears to be on an upward trend. According to Annette Evans, Homeless Program Coordinator for Washington County, "An early indication of increased homelessness was reported by the Severe Weather Shelters in Washington County shortly after they opened for winter shelter operations in late 2014. Beginning in November 2014 and ending in March 2015, six churches located in Beaverton, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Tigard, and Tualatin provided 5,409 overnight shelter bed stays and hot meals to the homeless."

In January 2015, the County in its annual homeless census validated this concerning trend as the homeless population increased for a second year. This annual homeless census, commonly referred to as the "point-in-time homeless count," measures the scope of homelessness on a single night in January.

Of the 424 households (591 persons) experiencing homelessness, 26% (109 households) report "couldn't afford rent" as the primary cause of homelessness. The cause of homelessness is reflective of a rental housing market with less than 2 percent vacant units and a shortage of affordable housing for extremely low-income and low-income households. The need for affordable housing is a topic being addressed by local leaders, as well as communities across our nation.

"Nearly half of all Washington County renters are paying more than a third of their income toward housing costs and 1 in 5 are using 50 percent of their income to meet the rising cost of housing" reports Pat Rogers, Community Action's Housing and Homeless Services Manager. "A working family or households on fixed income needs $17.73 an hour to afford a two-bedroom unit in Washington County." Community Action reports an increased number of persons age 62 and older who are at risk or experiencing homelessness due to rent increases. Community Action recently published the Issues of Poverty 2015 report addressing the conditions of poverty. The report is available online at http://caowash.org/understanding/profile/issues.html.

Key Findings:

On a single night in January 2015, homeless outreach workers and shelter provider agencies reported:

• 591 people were homeless representing an overall 27 percent increase from January 2013, when the county reported the lowest number of homeless people in eight years. Nearly one third of homeless people resided in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs while 395 people were located in places not meant for human habitation;e.g. vehicles, campsites, abandoned buildings, and on the street.
• Chronic or long-term homelessness among individuals and families is on the rise with 128 people interviewed, an increase of 39 percent since 2013. 
• The number of homeless veterans is relatively unchanged with 77 people reported homeless. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development identified veteran homelessness as a priority population to serve and the outcomes of focused resources is reflected in the decrease of veteran homelessness at local and national reporting levels.
• The number of unaccompanied homeless youth and children less than 18 years of age increased from 1 to 13 people. While homeless youth have been undercounted in previous homeless census activities, the 2015 results are reflective of expanded outreach and engagement by youth-oriented service providers.
• While families with children experience challenges in accessing affordable housing, this population continues to decline with 192 people in 93 households experiencing homelessness. The reduction is a result of newly implemented rapid re-housing programs. Families with children less than 18 years represent 23 percent (137 people) of the total homeless population.
• There are 591 people reported as "literally homeless" under the Federal definition, as well as an additional 185 people in 144 households who meet the State of Oregon's expanded definition of homelessness. The expanded definition includes those who live in shared housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, personal safety, or impending eviction from a private dwelling unit and have not found a subsequent residence and resources needed to obtain housing. This number is under-reported given the focus of outreach resources to complete the census for people meeting the Federal definition. Community Connect, a single-point entry system for people at risk and experiencing homelessness reports an equal number of people meet the Oregon definition as compared to Federal definition.

For additional homeless census information and to view the outcomes of the county's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, visit www.co.washington.or.us/homeless.

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