SD homeless count decreases - KOTA Territory News

SD homeless count decreases

The number of homeless people in South Dakota has decreased.

The results of a one-day survey conducted in September show 1,166 homeless people across the state, including 336 children.

That's a 26 percent decline from the count in 2011.

South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium Coordinator Lisa Bondy credits a grant for over 3.2 million dollars that provided funding for rental assistance, security deposit, and utility deposits. 

Also, SDHHC will take the results from the 2012 count to create goals and objectives for the South Dakota's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness which is currently being created.

"We know that short-term assistance is not going to fix long-term barriers.  The Ten-Year Plan will create specific objectives for reducing barriers for homeless individuals and families to reduce recidivism back into homelessness," said Bondy.   

The statewide survey was broken down into three geographical areas according to counties: West River, East River and Central South Dakota.  The Homeless Advisory Board in Sioux Falls, Black Hills Region Homeless Coalition, and South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA), were responsible for coordinating the counts. 

"SDHHC relies on community volunteers, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and other agencies to help conduct the count in their areas", said Bondy.  "It is a great opportunity for agencies to come together for one specific cause to help those less fortunate in their community and to find out what barriers exist."

 A few statistics from the 2012 count:

1. Majority of homeless individuals and families were staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing or hotel/motels.
2. The prime reason for homelessness was Lost Job/Unemployment and Substance abuse issues;
3. Majority of the homeless were 26-35 years of age;
4. Of the 1,153, 131 were sleeping outdoors the night of the count (15 of them were children)
5. 15% of the homeless population were veterans
6. 94% of those surveyed stated their income comes from employment
7. 35% of the homeless individuals (with no family) had high school diplomas, while 20% had some college credits
8. Homeless individuals, male and female, stated their need was full time employment to help them get into housing as well as assistance with first month's rent and deposit.

For more detailed results, please see our website at www.housingforthehomeless.org