Homeless Facts & Figures

The Southernmost Homeless Assistance League (SHAL) conducted the Point in Time Survey on Jan. 24th. This is part of a national initiative to assess the number of homeless people across the country.

Volunteers from throughout the Keys, including representatives from churches, hospitals and social service providers, were out in the early hours of the morning interviewing people to understand the cause of homelessness and what services are needed. The survey results influence the funds received by Monroe County from the state and federal government. Approximately $2.5 million for outreach, emergency and transitional shelters and services, come into Monroe County on an annual basis, based on this survey.

The number of homeless continues to be less than in 2002 when there were 2,151 people without suitable shelter in Monroe County. Since that time, a variety of programs have been created to provide long-term housing for people with special needs, thereby decreasing the number of homeless people.

The 2011 survey identified more than 500 individuals without suitable shelter (246 people in Key West, 93 in the Middle Keys and 104 in the Upper Keys). While the number of people living on the streets has decreased, so has the overall population of Monroe County. There were 387 children and adults living in shelters. This data suggests a positive trend with the number of people living on the streets declining and the number of people accessing shelters increasing. There is a continued and increasing need for services and affordable housing.

We believe that part of the decline in Key West is due to the collaboration between the City of Key West Mayor’s Office, the KWPD Quality of Life officers, the Sheriff’s Department, the Chamber of Commerce and the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League – as well as many social service agencies. More has been done over the past year to step up to people who are breaking the law while also assisting those seeking help. The delicate balance between pressure to stop those who are breaking the law and to provide services to those seeking help is essential to the decreasing number.

The face of those who are homeless is changing. There are many who are homeless who fall outside of the federal definition and therefore are not included in the numbers above. On January 24, 2011, there were an additional 440 individuals, including 204 children, who were living in temporary living conditions in Monroe County because of loss of employment, health issues and lack of affordable housing.

Proactive actions are necessary which focus on preventative services in order to reduce enormous hidden costs to the taxpayers of Monroe County. In 2010, there were 703 bookings of people who were homeless into the jail, costing Monroe County $3,356,930 – not including health costs. In 2010, the Key West ambulance service spent $458,100 on transporting individuals who were homeless. These high costs will continue until more proactive measures are taken to stabilize people’s living conditions. Stepping up to these tough issues is the focus of the volunteers who form the cooperative known as the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League.

While the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League recognizes that there will always be individuals who live on the streets for various reasons, it is committed to assisting those who wish to regain a productive role in the community. SHAL can only do this with the collaboration of a network of partnerships with member service providers and the good will and support of the community.

The preliminary results from the Point in Time survey will be further analyzed over the next few months. This analysis will assist SHAL and community leaders in assessing the level of services available and what changes might be necessary to accommodate the changing demographics of individuals and families faced with nowhere to call home. SHAL will also provide further details over the coming months regarding the faces of those who are homeless – our veterans, children, the unemployed, and people challenged by mental health, substance abuse and other medical disabilities. Members of the community are invited to join in these efforts by contacting the SHAL office at 305 393 3666.

Homelessness

Myths

Myth: Homeless in the Keys are all single men
that just need to get a job.

Fact: Families constitute a large and growing percentage of the homeless population nationwide and in Monroe County. Monroe County has only two units designated for homeless intact families. 55% of the men at the Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter (KOTS) work full-time.