2011 State of Hawaii Homeless Persons Point-In-Time County Report

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Using survey data to identify unsheltered individuals fitting the above parameters, the number of chronically homeless individuals statewide is shown in Exhibit five. Exhibit 5: Statewide Unsheltered Chronically Homeless Unaccompanied 2010 2011 County Individuals Chronic Percent Chronic Individuals Chronic Percent Chronic Oahu 1,087 478 44.0% 1,091 481 44.1% Maui 334 110 32.9% 513 155 30.2% Kauai 132 59 44.7% 172 58 33.7% Hawaii 196 58 29.6% 268 99 36.9% Totals 1,749 705 40.3% 2,044 793 38.8% Roughly 39% of the 2,044 unsheltered homeless persons identified in the 2011 PIT were determined to be chronically homeless. The percentage of persons counted that were chronically homeless decreased slightly from 40.3% in 2010. The percent chronic calculation above excludes persons in households with children and couples. These individuals are excluded from the denominator in the calculation. Several factors could have influenced the high rate of chronic homelessness: Field staff was comprised of mostly outreach workers who were assigned to count areas where they normally perform outreach and provide services. Unsheltered individuals asked to answer survey questions may have therefore felt more comfortable and /or open to disclosing the existence of a disabling condition to an outreach worker whom they already know or have seen around than someone who they were not familiar with. This year's survey instrument added the option for surveyors to "check box if 1) Client refuses to participate in survey, AND 2) Interviewer has made visual contact with the client, AND 3) Interviewer is an outreach worker /provider who has first -hand knowledge that the client is unsheltered on a regular basis, AND 4) Interviewer will therefore complete the survey on behalf of the client." The intent of adding this option was to provide outreach workers with permission to complete survey responses for unsheltered individuals who they encounter on a consistent and ongoing basis but who may refuse or are unable to participate in the survey due to factors, such as serious mental illness or inebriation. • The current economic situation throughout the state may have increased the duration and frequency of homelessness, especially among persons with a disabling condition. Unemployment rates have also increased throughout the state which could have also lead to increases in the number of homeless or longer durations of homelessness. Exhibit 6: Statewide Unsheltered Chronically Homeless Households 2011 Chronic Households with Children County Families Chronic Percent Chronic Oahu 44 12 27.3% Maui 43 4 9.3% Kauai 19 5 26.3% Hawaii 19 5 26.3% Totals 125 26 20.8% 11