The 2019 Point-In-Time Homeless Count shows a 39 percent drop in chronically homeless persons and a 3.5 percent increase in overall homelessness

WICHITA, Kan., Monday, Mar. 20, 2019 — Results of the 2019 Wichita-Sedgwick County Point-In-Time Homeless Count show a 3.5 percent increase in overall homelessness, but a 39 percent drop in chronic homelessness.

The survey represents only a snapshot of homelessness on one specific night (Jan. 30, 2019) using the definition of literal homelessness from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] (see below).

Summary of results of the local 2019 homeless count
• Total number of homeless persons: 593 compared to 573 in 2018
• Homeless veterans: 57 compared to 58 in 2018
• Chronically homeless persons: 20 compared to 33 in 2018
• Unsheltered homeless persons: 57 compared to 58 in 2018
• Homeless children under 18 without shelter: none (same as 2018)

Local officials attribute the 39 percent drop in the number of persons experiencing chronic homelessness and the slight downward trend in persons without shelter to changes in the number of transitional housing beds. In the 2019 count, there was a 57 percent increase in transitional housing beds when compared to 2018 (300 in 2019; 191 in 2018). Homeless individuals in transitional housing are still considered literally homeless, but not chronically homeless.

The Point-In-Time Homeless Count is an activity of Impact ICT CoC (formerly known as Wichita-Sedgwick County Continuum of Care), a coalition of community organizations and homeless advocates. On Jan. 31 volunteers went on the streets and in the shelters to survey individuals and families who were staying on the streets or in homeless shelters overnight on Jan. 30. United Way of the Plains provided coordination for the count.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires annual counts of individuals in homeless shelters and biannual counts (on odd years) of all homeless in communities applying for federal grants for homeless services. Communities need accurate data on homelessness to determine the size and scope of the homeless problem at the local level, plan services and programs appropriately to address local needs, and measure progress in addressing homelessness.

Summary of Point-In-Time Homeless Count in Sedgwick County

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Total number of persons who did meet HUD definition of being homeless	473	384	No count	634	550	538	631	561	571	575	573	593
Of the total above:
Number of homeless persons who were sheltered	445	352	No count	526	475	467	548	462	492	464	515	536
Number of homeless person who were unsheltered – Includes people who are staying on the streets, under bridges, in a car, etc. (Note: “unsheltered” does not mean that there was not shelter space available; it only means the persons were not housed during the time the count was conducted.)	28	32	No count	108	75	71	83	99	79	111	58	57

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Number of persons who were chronically homeless (in above totals) See definitions below	93	71	No count	140	142	91	107	94	39	39	33	20

DEFINITIONS FOR THIS COUNT:
“Homeless”

According to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a person is considered literally homeless when he/she lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

• A sheltered homeless person resides in an emergency shelter or transitional housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.
• An unsheltered homeless person resides in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the streets.
• NOTE: This definition does not include people who are staying in a home or hotel/motel, with a friend, in a treatment facility or in the jail.

“Chronically homeless”

According to HUD, a person is considered chronically homeless when he/she is: An unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has been homeless for 12 months in the last three years—either continuously OR during four or more occasions. A family is considered chronically homeless when at least one adult member of the household is chronically homeless. HUD defines a disabling condition as one that impairs the individual’s ability to get or keep a job or take care of personal matters.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Delane Butler, Vice President of Marketing, (316) 267-1321, dbutler@unitedwayplains.org