Report: Area Homeless Population Sees 71% Decrease Since 2012 Peak

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Daytona Beach, FL - The Commission on Homelessness for Volusia and Flagler Counties has released its annual Point-In-Time report on homeless counts in the area, showing a significant decrease in the homeless population since a decade peak in 2012.

Currently, the commission counts 683 homeless in both Volusia and Flagler Counties. 621 are located within nine cities in Volusia and 62 are located within two cities in Flagler. 44 of these individuals are veterans.

In 2012, the homeless population in the area experienced a peak when compared to trends from 2009 to 2018. In 2012, there were 2,384 homeless people in the area. Since 2012, the homeless population has seen a 71% decrease.

The report also indicated some of the conditions that the current homeless population faces. 406 reported that they were unsheltered and 277 reported that they were sheltered in transitional housing or in an emergency shelter. 40% said they slept in the woods or in a camp every night, while 12.6% slept in downtown streets, and 11.6% slept in an emergency shelter.

The top 3 needs of the population were illustrated as being affordable housing, shelter, and food. The top three causes of homelessness among the population was identified as being due to either employment or financial reasons, housing issues, and medical or disability concerns.

The data was collected by volunteers over a 24-hour period in January. For more information on how the data was collected, click here.

To view the full report, click here.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.