Nearly 8,000 people in five Western New York counties experienced homelessness for a period of time between October 2014 and September 2015. The Homeless Alliance of Western New York's just-released annual report shows some positive trends but also points out lingering problems, including a lack of afforable and supportive housing stock.
Of the 7,964 people who were temporarily without a home during that time span, most were in Erie County, with 5,455 counted.
(The report, in its entirety, can be reviewed by following this link.)
"Twenty-seven percent of those experiencing homelessness were children under the age of 18," said Dale Zuchlewski, executive director of the Homeless Alliance of Western New York. "No one thinks of a child or a woman fleeing domestic violence as being homeless."
In Niagara County, 1,980 experienced homelessness, while 383 were homeless in Genesee County, 103 in Orleans County and 35 in Wyoming County.
The Alliance reports on a given night in Erie County, 940 people are homeless, while 175 are in a similar situation in Niagara County.
During the 12-month period measured for the report, the Alliance found a five percent increase in homelessness in Niagara County, or 98 people. The rate dropped about 4.5 percent, though, in Erie County, as did the average period of time spent on the streets.
"We are able to house people within about 50 days, once they've accepted housing," said Zuchlewski. "The HUD (Housing and Urban Development) goal is to do it within 90 days."
However, the rate of homeless veterans in Erie County remained stable at 236.
Zuchlewski says Erie County lacks a sufficient stock of affordable and supportive housing. This includes housing for people with therapeutic needs. There is also a need, according to the report, for at least 500 single room or one-bedroom apartments.
At considerable risk of homelessness are working poor. According to the Alliance report, 47 percent of people in Erie County - including 51.6 percent of people in Buffalo - who rent property spend at least 30 percent of their income just to cover the rent.
"If you spend too much money for your rent, it leaves little money for food," Zuchlewski said. "If a car breaks down, you don't have money for that. A high utility bill in the wintertime can hurt you. Even if you get sick and don't get sick days, you go unpaid. It can throw you into homelessness."
