Homelessness Drops for 1st Time Since '04

The region's homeless population decreased slightly over the past year, while the number of destitute people receiving permanent housing continued to grow, according to an annual survey of the homeless and their needs.

In a report released yesterday by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, researchers found 11,762 people living in shelters or on the streets in the region. That number, which includes more than 3,000 children, represents a 3 percent reduction from last year's tally of 12,126 and is the first drop in the count since 2004.

The survey found that an additional 4,696 formerly homeless people are living in permanent housing programs, up 37 percent since 2004.

The drop in homeless people and the increase of those who have found permanent housing are "encouraging indicators that, with the appropriate commitment of resources and services, the region can reduce or even end homelessness," according to Michael Ferrell, chairman of the council's homeless services committee, who presented the report.

Report analysts concluded that more targeted efforts are needed to continue to reduce homelessness in the region, including increased emergency rental assistance, living-wage jobs and a greater emphasis on affordable housing.

"In some cases, deep housing subsidies, both short- and long-term, will be needed to move people out of homelessness," the report said.

The results of the count, compiled from data collected on a single day last winter from shelters, rural encampments, soup kitchens and housing programs, provide an annual snapshot of changes in the region's homeless population.

Overall, a quarter of the region's homeless individuals and 43 percent of homeless people in families were working, the report said, with even higher percentages in several suburbs. In Arlington County, 73.6 percent of homeless adults in families were working.

"It's distressing to think that people are getting up and going to work every day and cannot afford housing," Ferrell said.

Although the homeless population declined modestly overall for the region from 2006 to 2007, the situation varied among jurisdictions. In Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church and in Loudoun, Prince William and Frederick counties, the homeless population increased. It decreased slightly in Montgomery County, Alexandria and Arlington.

There were more noticeable declines in the District and Prince George's County, which analysts attributed in part to the emphasis the two jurisdictions have placed on moving homeless people into permanent "supportive" housing programs.

Such programs draw homeless people -- especially those with physical disabilities, mental illness and addictions -- out of the overburdened emergency shelter system and provide them with a permanent place to live and a variety of services to address their specific needs, such as medical care, counseling and living and job skills training. The programs are being tried nationwide.

Studies have shown that the programs are effective and cheaper than allowing homeless people to cycle through shelters, emergency rooms and jails without getting help for their problems.