Although levels of homelessness are staying the same, family homelessness is on the rise. I was reading an article at RealEstateRama last week that covered this year’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), recently released by the US Congress and prepared by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It announced that levels of homelessness have stayed essentially unchanged in the wake of the recession. But, what really caught my attention was the explanation of how this could be. It turns out that the number of families seeking shelter is still on the rise, but averaged out by a drop in chronic homelessness. While the overall trend is encouraging, this increase in family homelessness is something I believe may continue if the future economy remains just as unforgiving.
Families who were already vulnerable before the recession are now even closer to falling into homelessness. In fact, as the report shows, rates of families “doubling up” (multiple families living in one residence) has increased by 8.5 percent. These precarious living situations cannot be maintained for long, and these families will need to be helped. Otherwise, next year’s report may reveal an even steeper increase in the number of families seeking shelter.
As our staff at Doorways prepare their end of year reports this week, I am sure it will be eye opening to see the number of families we have served and the number we could not support due to program capacity. Stay tuned for our end of year statistics as our annual reporting comes to a close in July.
~ Linda
Tags: Homelessness
Caroline Jones
Thanks for this article. In addition to being informative, as someone who has recently bought a home in Arlington, this really resonates with me. In my search, I was shocked to discover that one needs a six-figure income to buy a tiny (800 sq ft), unrenovated house in Arlington. I also know that, at least along the orange line, a two-bedroom apartment costs at least $2000–absolutely unaffordable for a family on minimum wage, even if both parents work full time (never mind the daycare expense!). We need to stop propping up home prices, support living wage jobs, and work to increase the education levels of the poor (the surest path to decent jobs!) if we are ever to solve the affordable housing crisis. We also need to embrace those landlords that do not renovate and yuppify their properties rather than decrying their properties as an eyesore–so many properties in Arlington have been converted into granite countertop/stainless steel appliance ‘luxury apts/condos’ that the supply of affordable housing has dwindled rapidly.
Maureen~ Thank you so much for your comment and congratulations on your recent purchase! The majority of our clients struggle with the ballooning rent prices in Arlington when many make a minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and support multiple dependants. One of our efforts is to find and create affordable housing in Arlington so that we can have a rich and diverse community and where everyone has a safe place to call home.
~Doorways