The City of Glendale’s 2019 Homeless Count was a collaborative effort between the City of Glendale, the Glendale Homeless Continuum of Care, homeless alumni and community volunteers. The results of the 2019 Homeless Count provide information that serves as the basis for two important priorities: understanding the nature and extent of the current trends in homelessness in the City of Glendale; and responding to the unmet needs and gaps in services for homeless individuals and families in the City of Glendale.

On Jan. 22, 243 persons were homeless according to the Glendale 2019 Homeless Count and Survey Final Report. The previous homeless count and subpopulation survey was completed in 2018 during which 260 persons were counted. A comparison of the last two counts reveals that 17 fewer persons were counted in 2019, which represents a decrease of 6.5%. Despite the slight drop in homeless count from 2018 to 2019, hundreds of men, women and children are still sleeping on the streets in the Glendale community. According to the 2019 Homeless Count Surveys, 33.1%, or 46 households, became homeless for the first time in the City of Glendale due to a confluence of factors, including drastic increase in rents, loss of employment, and unexpected illness.

There are several factors that contribute to the concerning number of homeless population in Glendale. The first factor is due to rents being at record highs across the country, while income growth has not kept pace as rents have grown, making the rental market increasingly unaffordable. Twenty-five out of the 46 (54%) households counted as homeless for the first time in the City of Glendale stated that they “could not afford rent increase.”

The second factor is loss of employment. When surveyed, 22 of 46 (48%) unsheltered households stated that losing their job was the primary factor that contributed to their homelessness for the first time in the City of Glendale. Survey results show that homelessness and employment overlap for a significant portion of unsheltered people. Barriers to stable housing are primarily economic: either they lack employment, or they have a job and income but are not earning enough to make ends meet.

The third factor is unexpected illness. Three of the 46 (7%) unsheltered households surveyed reported becoming homeless as a result of “unexpected illness.” An acute physical condition may lead to homelessness; homelessness itself can exacerbate chronic medical conditions. A person can become chronically homeless the longer they remain unsheltered without stable housing, making it difficult to access treatment or preventive care.

The City of Glendale states it continues the efforts to end homelessness in its community and based on the 2019 Homeless Count results has come up with the following nine recommendations:

Recommendation 1: Using Measure S Funding to provide affordable housing to end homelessness in Glendale.

Recommendation 2: Using Measure H Funding to prevent and end homelessness in Glendale.

Recommendation 3: Using Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) and California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program (CESH) Funding to reduce homelessness in Glendale.

Recommendation 4: Finish the job of ending homelessness among unsheltered veterans.

Recommendation 5: Develop, adopt and implement a zero-tolerance policy for children living on the streets, in vehicles, and other places not meant for human habitation.

Recommendation 6: Completely align with a Housing First Model and low barrier approach for chronically homeless individuals and families.

Recommendation 7: Align the current homeless services delivery system with Dept. of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) goal of ending homelessness among women by 2020.

Recommendation 8: Collaboration with the Glendale Police Dept. Community Impact Bureau and the Dept. of Mental Health.

Recommendation 9: Provide HIV/AIDS housing and healthcare to homeless people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).

To read the full report, visit https://tinyurl.com/y43trjf8.