Murfreesboro Cold Patrol Snapshot Data of Homelessness in

Murfreesboro Cold Patrol Snapshot Data of Homelessness in Murfreesboro

Original Facebook Post

comments

Comment on the library

Homelessness in Murfreesboro Right Now � This data was collected by MCP over the course of May and June, 2017

Highest Level of Education � 7 th grade: 3% � 8 th grade: 3% � 9 th grade: 13% � 11 th grade: 16% � 12 th grade: 16% � GED: 26% � Some college: 13% � Graduated college: 3% 61% never graduated high school

Time Spent Homeless � Less than 6 months: 41% � 6 months-1 year: 16% � 1 -2 years: 12% � 2 years or longer: 30%

Available Shelter Beds Families: 4 rooms (Salvation Army is the only option $60 a week program fee) � Single men: 24 beds (Salvation Army is the only option) � › 6 of those beds are for emergency shelter, 18 of them are for their work program (and residents must pay $50 a week) � � Single Women: 6 beds (Salvation Army) Women with Children › Stepping Stones: maxes out at 12 individuals (including children) › Way of Hope: can reasonably host about 25 individuals a night (including children) › Neither of these shelters will take boys over the age of 12

Coldest Nights Data � In the winter of 2016 -2017, we had 320 unique individuals that used the Coldest Nights Shelter (available when temperatures reach 32 or below) � Many DID NOT use the shelter � The shelter is low-barrier and transportation can often be provided

Numbers for Funding � In 2016, approximately 2, 000 people in Rutherford County did not have a home or were precariously housed on someone’s couch or on the floor of the weekly rental (based on 2015 point-in-time count, a one night census of homeless individuals) � About 40% of that number were represented by families with children.

� Approximately 1500 children registered in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City Schools registered as homeless. � This number does not include parents, older siblings or children under the age of 5 who are not registered in pre-k. � Nationwide, about 60% of homeless children are under the age of 5.

Gender and Age Range � Based on survey data from 2016, 81% of homeless individuals living on the street were male, 19% were female. Age Percentage 20 -29 10% 30 -39 14% 40 -49 18% 50 -59 14% 60 - on 6% Unknown 37%

Where do People Stay? Location Under a bridge Encampment Car Jail At a shelter Multiple sites Other/Unknown

Diagnosed Health Concerns � A large percentage had diagnosed health concerns › › › Alcoholism Seizures Cardiovascular disease Cancer HIV/AIDS Physical disabilities (such as blindness, deafness, or being confined to a wheelchair) › And many more!

Mental Health Issues Documented Mental Illness Diagnosed Mental Illness No Known Documented Mental Illness Unknown

Barriers to Jobs and Housing � � Misdemeanors/Felonies Credit history › This often impacts ability to open a bank account as well � � � � � Deposit and down payment Lack of identification Lack of transportation Unable to regularly wash clothes or take a shower Using money for hotel room and not being able to save Disability (either physical or mental) Lack of sleep (no safe place to sleep) Unable to pass a drug test Lack of affordable housing (rising rent cost) And many others…

United States Census Bureau and America Community Survey Data (2015) *this includes 5 year averages* - We have 7, 585 households in Murfreesboro that earn $20, 000 a year or less. This constitutes 17% of the 44, 518 households in Murfreesboro proper. - In order for us not to be housing cost burdened (meaning spending more than 30%of gross income on housing and utilities), we need 7, 585 housing units of appropriate size with a gross rent of $500 or less per month. - - We currently have 2, 656 total units $55 or less a month, and most are small sized or studio apartments. This leaves us still about 5, 000 units short (if all units were appropriately sized).

� Homelessness is a community issue and it will take the whole community to solve this problem. � There are many great organizations who are working to solve this problem. Please meet some of them and join us in whatever way you can.