Unemployment Down, Homelessness Up

In a Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) report analyzing the housing market, results showed that homelessness in children and youth have increased from the second to the third quarter dramatically.

Unemployment was down from last quarter but increased monthly. Unemployment figures only count those who are unemployed and actively searching for jobs, not unemployed residents who have given up on job searching. MHP reported that unemployed residents were unemployed for almost 40 weeks in the year. In fact, 14 percent of non-luxury units are late in payment this quarter. That’s enough to push eviction. Thus, homelessness in children and youth increased.

The MHP study reported that Hennepin County homeless shelters averaged 260 families each month. That’s a 21 percent jump in a year and a 50 percent jump in five years. From July 2010 to June 2011, 8,297 children and youth were identified as homeless. The rate has jumped by eight percent from the previous year and 18 percent from 2007-2008.

Unfortunately, the report shows that Minnesota has got a long way to go to end homelessness. Until then, we can do our best by helping as we can. At Cabrini Partnership, we understand that ending homelessness is more than just providing a roof and a bed. With your help, we can continue making a difference.

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