Press Release – 2024 Point in Time Count and Housing Inventory Count

**********2024 Survey Shows Dramatic Increase in Unsheltered Homelessness and A Significant Lack of  Sheltering Options************

The Brevard Homeless Coalition’s 2024 Point in Time Count has found that although the total number of people experiencing homelessness increased by a small percentage since last year, the number of unsheltered homeless people — those who are living on the streets, in cars and in other places not meant for human habitation — has increased dramatically.

A simultaneous effort – the Housing Inventory Count – shows that this rise in unsheltered homelessness has nearly matched the decline in housing availability for those experiencing homelessness.

The Point in Time (PIT) count is an annual census of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. In addition to conducting PIT count each year, on that same night the Coalition also conducts the Housing Inventory Count (HIC) of residential programs dedicated to serving the homeless population. Both of these reports are essential components for assessing the scope of homelessness.

The January 2024 PIT count found that there were 1,071 people experiencing homelessness — a 2% increase since the January 2023 count. The big story however is the number of people who were living unsheltered – 779, an increase of 17% since 2023.

Data from the January 2024 HIC reflected a lack of housing options available to those experiencing homelessness. Out of a total of 1,581 beds available to those in homelessness for shelter or temporary housing, 875 individuals and 670 family members were housed, a positive outcome for those residents. However, this left only 25 beds available for individuals and 9 beds available for families in homelessness. In reality though, 742 individuals and 36 family members needed a place to sleep, directly translating to a DEFICIT of 717 beds for individuals and 27 beds for families. Brevard’s bed inventory would need to increase by nearly 80% for individuals and 4% for families.

The data is clear: county-wide we do not have enough shelter beds for individuals or families. The Brevard Homeless Coalition, in partnership with the County, municipalities, and broader homeless continuum of care is working to identify three emergency shelter locations – one in the north, central, and south – to address the urgent need for additional shelter options. PIT count and HIC data demonstrate that this is the missing piece in Brevard’s efforts to reduce unsheltered homelessness. Increasing the number of affordable housing units in the county is another key component needed to reduce the overall number of people experiencing homelessness.

Other key findings from the 2024 PIT count:

• • People of color were twice as likely to experience homelessness. Despite that disparity, the prevalence of sheltered whites is twice higher than people of color.
  • The number of chronically homeless (those who have been homeless for a year or more, and have a disabling condition that may prevent them from living independently and stably housed) increased by 71%.

• • • 81% of the unsheltered homeless have lived in Brevard County for three or more years. These are not transient residents.

• • The geographical distribution of unsheltered persons was consistent with the population densities found in North, Central, and South Brevard. Where the general population was greater, the number of unsheltered homeless individuals was greater:
    • North: 9%
    • Central: 40%
    • South: 51%
    •  

For more information, please contact the Brevard Homeless Coalition at (321) 285-6640, or visit www.brevardhomelesscoalition.org/pitc-2024.