Oregon Homeless Population Increases Again
Salem – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) once again reports that Oregon homelessness is on the rise. Unemployment tops the list of reasons for the increase. And, in 2010, children now comprise 31 percent of the state’s homeless population. The number of homeless families with children increased 33 percent from the previous year.
During a one-night count, OHCS’s partners identified 19,207 people experiencing homelessness in January 2010, up from 17,122 people in 2009. In addition, between the 2009 and 2010 count, there was a 21 percent increase in number of people counted on the street. Most concerning, the number of children counted as homeless increased 36 percent to 5,866 children.
“When homelessness touches children, it affects their entire lives,” said Rick Crager, OHCS deputy director. “Responding to this crisis requires a thoughtful response that is focused on preventing long-term costs. Children deserve to grow up safe and healthy and to achieve their potential.”
Multnomah County conducts its street count in odd-numbered years; therefore, it is safe to assume the 2010 count understates the extent of homelessness in Oregon. Despite this, the number of people identified as homeless increased 12 percent over 2009.
“In ordinary times, we would expect the number of people counted to fall without the Portland street count,” said Crager. “These numbers are proof that the economic conditions of the state, driven primarily by unemployment, have brought unprecedented levels of homelessness.”
More than one-third of households counted – 4,296 households – attributed their homelessness to unemployment.
For the first time, community partners collected information about the length of time that individuals experienced homelessness. The population counted had been homeless on average for 12 months.
- 66 percent of the people counted had been homeless for six months or less.
- 77 percent of children have been homeless for six months or less.
- 14 percent of children have been homeless for more than a year.
- 4 percent of children have been homeless for more than two years.
- Seniors (70+) have been homeless on average for 41 months.
“It’s really troubling to see the 72 percent increase in homeless families with children in Clackamas County,” said Brenda Durbin, director of Clackamas County Social Services. “Cuts to the Oregon Housing and Community Services and Department of Human Services budgets will further impact our ability to serve these vulnerable families.”
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