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Resources: Homeless Count 2009 Findings


10% less than 2007

Hidden Homelessness Supplement

Households with and without children who are living temporarily with friends, relatives, or in a motel who do not have the resources to move into housing and have been notified that the situation is short-term; or households who are facing eviction within 7 days. These people meet the newly expanded federal definition of homelessness, in the HEARTH act, authorized earlier this year. 

  • Children are the most dramatically increased hidden homeless subpopulation, a 290% increase from 278 to 1,085 since 2003.
  • Family size is the largest in hidden homeless with an average of 4.4 people per household compared to 2.9 people per household in the literally homeless population.
  • Hidden homeless families have less than half the average monthly income as sheltered homeless families ($632 hidden homeless vs. $1,220 sheltered homeless). For more information on income of homeless households click here.

CHART: Hidden Homeless by Type of Person
Hidden Homeless Chart

The hidden homeless population is 49% households with minor children and 51% households without children.
Regional Data

Click here for a chart of regional populations 2003 – 2009.

Oakland has the largest number of additional hidden homeless people – up 252% to 2,132 people.  This represents 70% of the countywide total hidden homeless persons.

Households without children were the largest increase of hidden homeless in the South, East, Mid and Other North areas of the County.

Reasons for the Increase

Housing instability has increased dramatically because of the recession. Food banks, soup kitchens, and food stamp programs are all reporting increased demand, but as of January 2009, we had not yet seen the numbers of persons in shelters and on the streets go up.  Research shows that people rarely go directly from their own housing straight to the streets or a shelter. They first double up with friends and family, stay in motels and campgrounds, work hard to get back on their feet - entering shelters or the streets only as a last resort. The hidden homeless will join the literally homeless unless we act swiftly and effectively to:

  • Provide well publicized, easily accessible housing resource centers,
  • Appropriately identify the neediest households likely to be literally homeless,
  • Rapidly deploy new and expanded prevention programs.

For information on disability and other subpopulations click here.

Back to the Homeless Count 2009 Findings home

Downloads

Download a PDF of the Information packet from 2009 Homeless Count Data Release