MEETING DATE: 8/20/2019
DEPARTMENT: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Tracey Belton, Interim Director
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Enrique Arreola
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 130
SUBJECT:
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - T. BELTON, INTERIM
Receive presentation of the 2019 San Benito County Homeless Census Executive Summary Report.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 130
AGENDA SECTION:
REGULAR AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
As an official member of the Salinas/Monterey/San Benito County Continuum of Care (CoC) since 2011, San Benito County is required to conduct a point in time “homeless census” every two years. The point in time “homeless census” took place on January 31, 20109 in collaboration with community partners and approximately 20 volunteers and staff members. This year’s count included homeless individuals in emergency shelters, living on the streets, in encampments, in vehicles and other locations deemed as unsuitable for human habitation.
Attached is the final executive summary report of the 2019 Homeless Census for San Benito County and as a comparison, the results from the 2017 Homeless Census. The highlights of the 2019 report include 1) the homeless count changed from 527 to 283 homeless individuals reflecting a decrease of 244 or 46%, 2) a finding that 85% of the homeless population were prior residents of San Benito County, 3) a finding that 40% report they are first time homeless, 4) 73% (206) reported that financial issues (job loss, eviction...etc.) was the primary event or condition that led to homelessness; 5) 15 homeless individuals reported being a veteran who have served on active duty in their lifetime, 6) 15% (42) comprised of children under the age of 18; and 7) 70% of the homeless are unemployed.
The Homeless census is an important planning tool for San Benito County to assist in planning for programs to alleviate homelessness within the County.
BUDGETED: