Homelessness in Merced County Decreased by 12% in 2017
By Joe Colletti | March 23, 2017 | Comments Off on Homelessness in Merced County Decreased by 12% in 2017
According to the 2017 Homeless Count and Survey, Merced County saw a 12% decrease in homelessness. Throughout 2016, many homeless service providers reported significant numbers of homeless persons who exited homelessness through their resources and community partnerships because of implementing evidence-based and best practices.
The results of the Merced County 2017 Homeless Count and Survey were presented at the theater on February 17
Throughout 2016, many homeless service providers reported significant numbers of homeless persons who exited homelessness through their resources and community partnerships because of implementing evidence-based and best practices. These practices have helped other jurisdictions experience a decrease in the number of persons who are homeless within their neighborhoods. Consequently, it was not a surprise that the number of persons counted in January, 2017 was 12% less than the number of persons counted in 2016.
A striking example of success involved homeless veterans. During the past couple of years, veteran service providers worked together unlike ever before. Federal, county, city, and private nonprofit agencies worked together and implemented the best practices of Housing First and Permanent Supportive Housing through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, which combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) provides Rapid Rehousing assistance that includes temporary financial assistance and appropriate social services.
Consequently, the number of homeless veterans significantly decreased from 88 in 2015 to 17 in 2017. Since the homeless count was counted in January, 2017, four more veterans have been permanently housed.
The Merced County 2017 Homeless Count and Survey outlines next steps in order to help more persons who are homeless exit their state of homelessness. One primary step is to encourage all cities within the county to implement the same evidence-based and best practices. The City of Merced, the largest city in the county, has taken the lead in implementing evidence-based and best practices and experienced a larger decrease (19%) in the number of homeless persons who have been living on its streets. Click here for a copy of the homeless count and survey.
The count and survey was coordinated by Urban Initiatives in partnership with the Merced City and County Continuum of Care.