The LMT is running a series on homelessness in the Valley.
The Idaho County Free Press ran one recently. Given the LMT’s liberal slant, I’m not expecting very objective facts coming from them.
Homelessness is a sad situation. But the LMT is going to make us sound like downtown Los Angeles. We are not.
Here are the actual numbers:
Homelessness continues as problem with the region and statewide overall, but numbers of that population have decreased since last year.
Within Region 2, the homeless population is down 3.2 percent from 2016. Overall, the state saw a 9.3 percent decrease; however, the count hovers around 2,000 on average, consistent with numbers reported the last six years.
Estimates come from Idaho’s annual Point-In-Time (PIT) count. The state’s 2017 homeless population count, completed the night of Jan. 25, was 2,037. Results from the 13th annual report were released this month by the coordinating agency, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.
The primary goal of the PIT count is to provide a one-night “snapshot” of the number of homeless persons who are either living on the streets, in places not meant for habitation, or are currently residing in emergency shelters or homeless transitional housing projects. Definition of homelessness for the PIT count does not include persons who may be staying with friends or relatives, in a hotel/motel, in a treatment facility, in jail, or in Rapid Re-housing or Permanent Housing project for formerly homeless persons.
Region 2 comprises Idaho, Lewis, Clearwater, Nez Perce and Latah counties. This year’s PIT count found a total 92 homeless population (5 percent of the state’s total), of which 34 were sheltered and 58 were unsheltered.
Within Region 2’s homeless population, 36 are victims of domestic violence; 20, chronically homeless individuals; 14, substance abuse; 10, mentally ill; four are veterans; and three are chronically homeless family members.
Breaking down the 92 homeless
- 68 percent were single adults and 32 percent were families.
- 59 percent were male.
- By age, 74 percent were 25 and older, 20 percent were 18-24, and 6 percent were younger than 18.
- 58 were unsheltered, 34 were sheltered.
Those homeless within Idaho County have to rely on short-term services through government; no emergency shelters or soup kitchens are available, though area churches offer help.