HOMELESSNESS

A national survey(1) shows that homeless intact families are on the rise and make up nearly one quarter (24%) of the poor and homeless families currently seeking assistance across North America according to a national survey of 22,000 homeless conducted by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM). The figure is a significant increase from the 18% reported in 2006 and represents a trend of more couples and whole families coming to rescue missions for aide during the past four years.

“A slow economy, interest rate increases and high-energy prices add up,” said John Ashmen, executive director of the AGRM. “Some people are unable to keep up financially and the economic factors affect more than just women with children. We’re seeing a trend of more couples and intact families needing help.”

In the annual demographic survey, completed in October 2007, women with children made up 55% of the families served, couples 16% and men with children 5%. Also, one in every four homeless person is a veteran.(2)

This past winter, Haven of Rest has experienced the impact the economy is having on the number of people coming to us for shelter. We provided overnight lodging for as many as 188 men in our 100-bed dorm through the use of cots and mats. Nightly we house an average of more than 200 men, women and children. To see local stats click on the “Statistics” link on the left hand side of the page.

To read more about the National Survey please go the www.agrm.org. On this site you will also find information on various homeless studies and homeless statistics.

1 AGRM National Snapshot Survey

2 “New Generation of Homeless Vets Emerges”, Akron Beacon Journal, Sunday, January 20, 2008