Facts:
WHO IS HOMELESS IN NORTH DAKOTA?A statewide January 25, 2006 Point-in-Time Survey of Homeless People indicated:
- 40% are families
- 60% are single individuals
- 3% are unaccompanied youth under the age of 18
- 26% are children under the age of 18 in families
- 48% have alcohol and/or drug abuse problems
- 35% have a mental illness
Typically homelessness is only thought of in terms of financial resources, but there are many factors that can lead to homelessness. Loss of employemnt, long-term illness, substance abuse, divorce, domestic violence, child abuse, institutional release, and other factors create situations when people cannot afford to pay rent or house payments. Additional causes may bve attributed to defects in the system, such as lack of: 1) affordable housing; 2) space in treatment facilities for persons suffering from mental illness of substance abuse; and 3) preventive services to help people remain in their homes.
HOW ARE THESE PROBLEMS BEING ADDRESSED?
Many service providers, government agencies, and faith-based organizations provide services to the homeless in north Dakota. Currently the agencies play a role in adinistrating a variety of housing and services that directly benefit homeless people.
Type of housing include, but are not limited to:
° Emergency shelter
° Transitional housing
° Permanent supportive housing
Types of services include, but are not limited to:
° Emergency assistance
° Education and information
° Life skills
° Case management
° Mental health
° Alcohol and drug treatment
° AIDS related treatment
° Employment assistance
° Childcare
° Transportation
° Healthcare
