Strategies to End Homelessness is the leader of a coordinated system of care for the homeless. And those at-risk of becoming homeless, in Greater Cincinnati. Please read on for an update on homelessness in Cincinnati.
We administer the local Homeless Management Information System. In fact, we were the first community in the United States to have 100% of homeless services agencies contributing data to such a system.
How do we use that data? We use data to monitor program outcomes and coordinate resources. And adjust funding for front-line homeless services agencies.
Working to meet changing systemic needs.
Update on Homelessness in Cincinnati
Regarding homelessness in Cincinnati, there was an overall decline in the number of people sleeping in emergency shelter and unsheltered on the streets from 2021 to 2022. Although a very modest decline of less than 1%.
However, this does continue what is now a six-year trend. With the number of people on the streets and in emergency shelters declining by 16%. From 2017-2022.
Other communities have had significant increases in homelessness. Particularly unsheltered homelessness, during the same timeframe.
In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, unsheltered homelessness increased for the first time in seven years.
However, since 2020, unsheltered homelessness has decreased by a total of 27%, and most significantly decreased by 18% from 2021-2022.
One of the reasons for this decline is because of the increase in the number of people served in our Shelter Diversion program.
2022 marked the first year that unsheltered homelessness dropped below pre-pandemic levels.
Only 6% of people who are literally homeless in Hamilton County exclusively sleep outside on the streets and unsheltered, never entering an emergency shelter.
An additional 6% spend part of their year unsheltered. But also spent part of the year in emergency shelter. In total, 12% of people experiencing homelessness slept outside for some period of time during the year.
This compares favorably to the national average of 40% of people experiencing homelessness being unsheltered on the streets.
For a look at the national averages, visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness‘s website.
