In the 2022 federal point in time (PIT) count, 136 unique individuals experiencing homelessness were identified on a single night in Union County. In 2022, 258 children were identified in the Union County Public School system experiencing homelessness during the academic year. With this combined data, we estimate that on any given day, 400 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Union County and are living in shelters, "doubled-up" with family or friends, or in places not meant for human habitation. Last year, the shelter provided 26,179 overnight stays to 631 unique individuals. 58% of all shelter participants were experiencing homelessness for the first time.

Most Union residents who experience homelessness are episodically homeless, rather than the chronic versions of homeless most often seen in urban settings. In fact, 86.1% of all persons identified in the 2022 PIT count were episodically homeless meaning that they have suffered some emergency financial need where there were no emergency funds set aside. For people living at or below the poverty line, they live in a constant state of homelessness prevention and any financial emergency can be the catalyst for a housing crisis. Union County has limited homelessness prevention programming, although more funding and capacity building in this area could create a large impact, especially for episodic homelessness.

13.9% of the Union County homeless population experiences chronic homelessness, meaning they have experienced homelessness for at least one year, or repeatedly, while struggling with a disabling condition such as serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disabilities. The most appropriate housing intervention in these cases is Permanent Supportive Housing, and in Union County, there are few, if any, resources available. Due to the lack of support, many of these individuals live unsheltered, often in tent communities. 58 unique individuals were identified living unsheltered during the same 2022 PIT count referenced above.

What’s helping?

• UCT Transportation enables access
• Cotton Street Concepts
• Habitat for Humanity
• Legal Aide
• HUD Subsidized housing
• Crisis Assistance Ministry
• WIC
• Union County Transportation helping with access, even if unhoused
• County has land use plan that allows a range of housing
• LIEAP
• Rapid Rehousing
• Cotton Street Commons and Similar Communities
• Childcare Assistance
• Repairs by churches and non-profits

What’s Hurting?

• Lack of flexibility for new housing developments
• Inflation
• Social Perceptions/Stigma about homelessness which often prohibits conversation
• Lack of equity
• Not enough rental properties
• Increased interest rates
• Mental health issues in homeless population
• Increased costs of building materials
• Crime in low income areas
• Opposition to new density developments/affordable
• Development Standards
• Lack of community plan to assist with homelessness issue

David’s Backpacks for Homeless – Meet needs for those living in tent communities.

Community Shelter of Union County - Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, and Soup Kitchen (3 meals per day).

Community Shelter Street Outreach Program

Crisis Assistance- Food pantry and Financial Assistance.

Community Action – Education programs.

Common Heart – Food pantry, empowerment program, utility assistance.

Ground 40 – Transitional Housing.

Heart For Monroe - One of the first ways Heart for Monroe serves our community is by partnering with the homeless shelter to provide gently used furniture and new beds for those moving out of the homeless shelter and into their new living arrangements. This has continued to be an area of service for Heart for Monroe to this day. Volunteers are needed to assist with loading furniture and beds, transporting the items, and setting them up in the new homes.

House of Pearl – Transitional Housing.

Operation Reach Out - Clothing shower and laundry for homeless, food pantry, financial assistance.

Turning Point (TP) –Domestic Violence Shelter

Union County Human Services – Financial Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid.

Union County Public Schools - McKinney-Vento Program.

Coordinated entry: A process designed to quickly identify, assess, refer and connect people in crisis to housing and assistance and services.

Emergency shelters and interim housing: People experiencing a housing crisis or fleeing an unsafe situation need to find a place to stay, quickly. These interventions should be low-barrier and align their goals and program activities with the larger system’s goals.

Permanent Supportive Housing: Permanent supportive housing is a proven solution to homelessness for the most vulnerable chronically homeless people. It pairs housing with case management and supportive services. e services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment and employment services.

Rapid Rehousing:  Rapid Re-Housing is a solution to homelessness designed to help individuals and families to quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the unique needs of the household. By connecting people with a home, they are in a better position to address other challenges that may have led to their homelessness, such as obtaining employment or addressing substance abuse issues. The intervention has also been effective for people traditionally perceived to be more difficult to serve, including people with limited or no income and survivors of domestic violence. Research demonstrates that those who receive rapid re-housing assistance are homeless for shorter periods of time than those assisted with shelter or transitional housing. Rapid re-housing is also less expensive than other homeless interventions, such as shelter or transitional housing.

Supportive Services:

Clothing

Education Programs

Financial Assistance

Food Assistance

Health Services

Transportation

Utility Assistance

Workforce Development

Transitional Housing: Transitional Housing (TH) provides temporary housing with supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness with the goal of interim stability and support to successfully move to and maintain permanent housing.