The number of people experiencing homelessness in Polk County continues to rise, according to a new point-in-time, or PIT, count from local agency Homeward.
Approximately 779 individuals were found experiencing homelessness on a single night in January — a 9% increase from last year’s 715. Of that, 206 were unsheltered, breaking last year’s record of 147, according to Primary Health Care, whose staff and local volunteers led the biannual count Jan. 29.
The majority (428) were staying in emergency shelters, 132 were in temporary housing and 13 were in permanent supportive housing. Emergency shelter and housing providers said 94% of their beds were occupied on Jan. 29.
Angie Arthur, executive director of Homeward, said the figures are telling: “Homelessness is a very complex situation, and we’re seeing the runs of homelessness within our community.”
Stagnant wages and rising cost of living make it tough for Iowans to make ends meet, said Arthur, whose organization released a five-year plan in May to boost the county’s housing resources. Cuts to social benefits programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid hit Iowans on fixed incomes the hardest.
Lack of affordable housing remains a significant issue for Polk County. For every 100 low-income renter households in the county, just 23 homes are affordable and available, Arthur said.
“That’s a significant gap for us,” she said.
Here’s what else we learned:
Most unsheltered people live in Polk County
Homeward said 161 unsheltered people agreed to a survey. Of those, 78% said their last permanent address was in Polk County, 18% said they lived in another Iowa county, and 4% were from another state. Many were between the ages of 35 and 44.
More youth, older adults experiencing homelessness
The number of youth and older adults experiencing homelessness also went up. This year’s count saw 46 youth experiencing homelessness, a slight increase from last year’s total of 41.
Adults 65 and older made up roughly 6% of the count, compared to 3.5% recorded last year.
Arthur noted the county’s lack of affordable housing as part of this issue.
Black Iowans disproportionately impacted by homelessness
Black residents in Polk County are disproportionately impacted by homelessness. While they only make up about 9% of the county’s population, 24% identified as Black during the PIT count. A majority (59%) identified as White.
“It’s important to remember and to think about the systems that are in play,” Arthur said. “Lots of times folks have been failed by multiple systems before they enter into homelessness.”
“So, how can we better work to prevent homelessness to begin with or support those folks that are experiencing it?” she continued. “We know when we help the most vulnerable folks in our community, we’re helping our whole community.”
F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on X @writefelissa.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Polk County sees new record-high number of unsheltered homeless in PIT count
Reporting by F. Amanda Tugade, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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