Foreclosure to Homelessness

Presented at Foreclosures in Wisconsin: Responses and Resources for Living Beyond the Bubble

M William SermonsDirector, HRI

Report released in June, 2009

Current Snapshot on Homelessness

• Approximately 670,000 homeless at point in time; 1,600,000 use shelter system each year.

• 20% meet chronic homeless definition• 37% persons in families – often mother with 1-2 children• Decreases in overall (10%), chronic (28%), and

family(18%) from 05’ – 07’.• No change in any subpopulations 07’ – 08’.• Increase in 08’ in people coming from housing

(rented/owned or with family or friends) into shelter system.

Summary of Methodology

• 20-question Survey of 178 agencies that serve homeless people.

• All four Census regions represented: 21% from Midwest

• Homeless shelters, legal services, health care, transitional/permanent housing, food pantry, etc.

Core Question

Of all clients you’ve served who have become homeless during the last 12 months, what percentage (must add up to 100)…

Were evicted after a landlord’s property went into foreclosure: ______%Were homeowners who lost the homes they were living in: ______%Were homeless for reasons that did not involve foreclosure: ______%

Major Findings

• 79% of providers reported at lease some clients were homeless due to foreclosure.

• Overall median response: 10%. Among housing (shelter/transitional/permanent) providers: 5%.

• 5:1 ratio of renters to owners.• “With family or friends” and emergency shelter most

common post-foreclosure living situations.• Most common services being provided in communities:

counseling to prevent foreclosure, free or pro-bono legal assistance, and cash assistance.

Most Common Reasons for Homelessness

• Job loss• Drug/alcohol problems• Asked to leave by family/friends• Family/domestic violence• Incarceration

For More Information:

www.endhomelessness.org

msermons@naeh.org