THE MISSION OF THE DUPAGE HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE IS TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO END HOMELESSNESS IN DUPAGE COUNTY, IL.

Homelessness is an increasingly reality for a significant number of residents in DuPage County.

A One Night homeless count of sheltered and unsheltered persons was conducted on January 30, 2013.The total number of sheltered homeless persons increased from 608 to 636 which was a 2.8% increase.

• 215 persons in emergency shelter including 16 family units
• 421 persons in transitional housing including 104 family units
• 69 sheltered persons were chronically homeless. Of these, there were 64 individuals and 2 families (5 persons).
• There were 83 youth between the ages of 18-24 in shelter or transitional housing on that night.
• In the 2011 unsheltered count, there were 33 unsheltered persons including one family unit.

The total unsheltered population decreased 12% from 33 persons in 2011 to 29 persons in 2013. There were 0 unsheltered households with children which is a decrease from 1 HC in 2011. There were only 5 chronically homeless persons which is a 67% decrease from 15 persons in the 2011 count.

For more complete information please see the most recent Homeless Population Charts under Homeless Demographics (www.dupagehomeless.org/populationchart.asp). The next complete Homeless complete Count is scheduled for January 2014.

Important Facts About Demographic Changes in DuPage County

Below are some highlights from the 2011 American Community Survey. Recent demographic trends in DuPage County continue.

· DuPage County had 70,073 (7.7%) people with incomes below the Federal Poverty Level.

· The number of children in poverty is 24,107 or 10.8% of the population.

· The number of persons in Extreme Poverty is 28,384 or 3.1% of the population.

· The unemployment rate in DuPage County in September 2012 was 6.5% which left 34,372 persons unemployed.


(www.census.gov/acs/www)

(www.heartlandalliance.org
/research)

The risk of becoming homeless affects an even higher number of DuPage residents.

Housing Assistance - In fiscal year 2012, 2267 persons in 981 households received financial assistance for rent, security deposits, moving costs, or mortgage in order to prevent them becoming homeless.

Utility Assistance - In fiscal year 2012, 593 persons in 220 households received financial utility assistance in order to prevent them becoming homelessness.

Support Services - In fiscal year 2012, 2151 persons in 840 households received case management, legal services, and/or financial counseling to prevent them becoming homeless.
(2012 DuPage Continuum Prevention Providers Survey)

Click on the Homeless Prevention Tab to see more detailed statistics and geographic locations for services.

• a well-coordinated, seamless continuum of emergency and long-term housing and support services to people who are homeless;
• an effective countywide emergency relief system to help people stay in their housing;
• the Housing First approach- getting persons in housing as soon as possible and following later with their service needs.
• developing an adequate supply of safe affordable housing to eliminate homelessness.