On June 16, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. According to the fifth annual report, levels of homelessness in the United States stayed essentially the same between 2008 and 2009. Data showed a ten percent reduction among people experiencing chronic homelessness, but a rise in the number of families seeking shelter.
The latter finding was largely attributed to the recession – interpreted by both HUD and the Alliance as an indication of the economy’s effect on vulnerable families. What is promising, according to the Alliance analysis, is the resumed decline in chronic homelessness. After a year of stalled progress, persistence in best practices seems to have generated continued advancement in reducing chronic homelessness. To view the Alliance’s press release on the AHAR, please click here. You can also read the Alliance’s blog post on the AHAR here.
