4. There were 2,252 families that contacted the system due to
homelessness.
Family size averaged 1.75 children in each family, just below the
national average of 1.8 children per family.
6. 556
2,922
Of the 3,478 single adults – 15% were considered
youth (between the ages of 18 and 24)
7. …ALL were in need of safe, affordable housing
so that they could resume living their lives as
they were meant to.
8. The demographic data collected throughout
the year helps us to see where more
resources might need to be focused, the
types of resources most needed, and how
people are falling into homelessness to better
inform prevention and outreach efforts.
10. LITERALLY
HOMELESS
48%
IMMINENT
RISK
52%
CATEGORY OF HOMELESSNESS
4,602 people were Literally Homeless when they sought services. Literally Homeless is the HUD Definition,
Category 1 defined as staying in shelter, on the streets or another place not fit for human habitation.
Most of the resources, nationally and locally, are targeted toward this population as housing them will have the
greatest impact in reducing the number of persons experiencing homelessness.
5,240 people were at Imminent Risk of homelessness. Imminent Risk of Homelessness is defined by the HUD
definition, Category 2 as facing eviction within 14 days of seeking services.
While it is important to prevent these individuals from becoming homeless, many will avoid homelessness by
tapping into their own natural supports such as friends and family.
11. SINGLE ADULTS
34%
ADULTS IN
FAMILIES
26%
CHILDREN IN
FAMILIES
39%
UNACCOMPANIED
YOUTH
1%
HOUSEHOLD TYPE
Of those seeking services:
3,478 were people over the age of 18 who
are living on their own.
149 people were unaccompanied youth,
these are individuals under the age of 18
who are on their own without parents or
guardians.
2,679 were adults in families. Some of these
families had one adult, and others would
have had two or more adults based on
number of parents and ages of children.
3,943 were children living in families with
the adults listed above.
14. MALE, 359
FEMALE, 80
VETERANS
The Coalition has taken up the challenge to end
Veteran homelessness by the end of 2016. Ending
Veteran homelessness means that if another
Veteran were to become homeless, there would
immediately be a resources available to quickly
secure permanent housing.
This goal can be accomplished by housing 22
Veterans a month, each month in 2016.
15. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Oct 14-Oct 15 Nov 15-Feb 16 Mar 16-May 16
PROGRESS IN HOUSING VETERANS
Housed Searching Homeless
The data used in this chart comes from data collected by Community Rebuilders, the Veteran lead grantee for the
community, working in collaboration with others that include the Salvation Army, Coalition to End Homelessness staff,
and Volunteers of America. Updates are available at communityrebuilders.org/zero2016/
16. 15
48
72
135 137
27
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and up
NUMBER BY AGE
Although the commitment of housing providers is showing remarkable progress in
housing Veterans, the work becomes even more urgent when we look at the age
distribution of these men and women. An aging population of Veterans means
housing is that much more critical for preventing and treating growing health
concerns. It is critical that we allow our Veterans to age with safety and dignity.
17. CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
CHRONICALLY
HOMELESS 4% The Coalition has accepted the Federal
goal of ending chronic homelessness in
2017. Meeting this goal will take all
providers working together to increase
available resources and identify those
who have been homeless for a year or
longer and have a disability.
Housing people who were chronically
homeless has proven time and time
again to save taxpayers money, within
the first months of being housed and can
save millions of dollars over years.
18. YOUTH
659
373
75
165
183
74
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
IN FAMILY (18-24)
INDIVIDUAL (18-24 YEARS)
UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH
FEMALE/TRANSGENDER FEMALE (4) MALE/TRANSGENDER MALE (1)
*UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH ARE YOUTH WHO ARE UNDER AGE 18 AND ARE WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
** IN FAMILY (18-24): 188 OR 23% WERE IN A PARENT’S HOUSEHOLD, 77% WERE THE HEAD OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD OR
PARTNER OF THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
19. The Coalition has a goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020.
When youth experience homelessness…
…their rates of completing high school or college drop,
…their risks of involvement in the criminal justice system rise,
…their opportunities for gainful employment decrease,
…and their lifetime health outcomes are poorer.
Keeping youth housed throughout these foundational years helps
ensure a brighter future not only for them, but for our world.
20. Included data was collected from information entered into the Homeless
Management Information System (HMIS) database.
Participating organizations in HMIS data collection are:
Arbor Circle
Community Rebuilders
Dégagé Ministries
Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids
Family Promise of Grand Rapids
Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation
Grand Rapids Housing Commission
Grand Rapids Urban League
Guiding Light Mission
Inner City Christian Federation
Mel Trotter Ministries
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
The Salvation Army Social Services
Volunteers of America
Well House
