News Release
Governor Martz Launches Homelessness Initiative
5/7/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
“The plight of the homelessness in Montana is an issue that has gone too long without adequate attention,” Governor Martz said. “I am confident that this initiative will raise awareness and find solutions to ensure that every Montanan’s basic need is being met. These are our neighbors and we must begin looking for ways to bring them back to our communities.”
Trends over the past few years have shown a consistent increase in the numbers of homeless in Montana. In April 2003, interviewers identified 2,823 homeless Montanans during the point-in-time Survey of the Homeless.
The sources of homelessness include mental illness, substance abuse, domestic abuse and co-occurring disorders. A third of Montana’s homeless have less than a high school education. Extreme poverty, a general lack of low-income housing and the cost of rent are also common reasons for homelessness.
The needs of the homeless cross many service system boundaries, beginning with the most basic human needs. The Council will examine solutions to the root causes of homelessness through fundamental changes in state policy including treatment availability for substance abuse and mental illness, preventing child abuse, and assisting victims of domestic abuse. T he Council will also complete an inventory of state program discharge policies and practices and use that information to help initiate best practice models.
Governor Martz’s Council on Homelessness will also convene the Native American Council on Homelessness Subcommittee charged with focusing exclusively on the specific needs of American Indian populations, both on and off reservations.
The membership of the council includes:
Bob Anderson, Analyst
Governor's Office Budget & Program Planning
Gordon Belcourt, Executive Director
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council
Hank Hudson, Division Administrator
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Mark Simonich, Director
Montana Department of Commerce
Donald P. Ketchum, Executive Officer
Social Security Administration
Joe Foster, Administrator
Veterans Affairs Division
Ed Amberg, Administrator
Montana State Hospital
Mike Ferriter
Montana Department of Corrections
Terry Teichrow
Montana Office of Public Instruction
Roland Mena, Executive Director
Montana Board of Crime Control
Lori Hatford
Billings, MT
Sherry Scheel Matteucci
Billings, MT
Joe Bichof, Director
Missoula Povarella Center
Eric Sells
Missoula, MT
Gordon Higgins
Montana Department of Labor
Bob Buzzas
Bozeman Continuum of Care Coalition
A detailed synopsis of the annual Survey of Montana’s Homeless is attached.
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An annual point-in-time Survey of Montana’s Homeless is sponsored by the Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau of the Department of Public Health and Human Services.
During three days in April 2003, efforts were made to reach as many homeless people as possible in Montana’s seven largest cities. There was no duplication among those surveyed. While the survey cannot be considered scientifically valid, it provides a snapshot of what it means to be homeless in Montana. The survey will be conducted again in September 2004.
Survey respondents included the heads of 516 homeless families, who together identified 1,426 family members, and 1,397 homeless individuals. The average family included 2.76 members.
* 61% of all those identified were male, but more women than men were the heads of homeless families. Approximately 30% of individuals and 35% of families had not achieved a high school education.
* Native Americans were represented at rates 2.2 - 3.6 times expectations established by 2000 Census data.
* 21% of individuals and 27% of families worked either part or full time. Only a very small minority (less than 5%) ask strangers for money.
* Approximately 60% had lived in the area for at least two years. More than 20% had been there for at least 6 years.
* Virtually all of the families were likely eligible for food stamps, but just 21.7% of families and 11.4% of individuals had them.
* Disability rates are typically high among the homeless, but just 15.5 percent of individuals and 11.2 percent of families had Supplemental Security Income.
Factors leading to homelessness
Disability: Nearly half of the individuals (45.8%) and families (47.2%) surveyed needed medical care. Consistent with national data, numerous survey respondents reported that mental health and/or substance abuse issues had contributed to their homelessness: 27.2% of individuals and 16.7% of families cited drug/alcohol issues; 33.7% of Individuals and 18% of families cited mental health issues; and 12.7% of individuals and 5.6% of families cited co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.
High mobility: National Center on Family Homelessness data reveals that homeless families have moved nearly 4 times in the past 2 years, as compared to their housed counterparts, who moved almost twice in the same period. This is consistent with 2002 Prevention Needs Assessment data collected by the Addictive and Mental Disorders Division, which reveals that approximately 10% of Montana’s 8th, 10th and 12th graders have moved 7 or more times since kindergarten. 19 percent have changed schools 5 or more times since kindergarten.
Lack of low-income housing: To be considered affordable, housing costs including rent and utilities cannot exceed 30 percent of income; 2000 Census data reveals that 28.2 percent of all Montana renters pay 35 percent or more of their income for housing.
In December 2003, 7,500 families were on the Department of Commerce waiting list for housing vouchers. Families are chosen from the list on a first-come, first-served basis, and the wait can vary from 18 months to 7 years. At any point in time, approximately 600 Montanans hold housing vouchers and are actively seeking housing. They have a maximum of 120 days to secure housing. If unsuccessful, the voucher reverts to the next eligible person on the list.
The lack of low income housing is only one of the obstacles to becoming housed. Lack of references, poor credit, criminal records and deposits consistent with community standards all serve as barriers to becoming housed.
Lack of living wage jobs: The Department of Commerce Economic and Demographic Analysis of Montana (2003) reveals that while Montana’s poverty rate has decreased since 1990, the number of families living in poverty increased by 20.7%.
Income Inequality: 2000 Census data reveals that females working full-time, year-round had median earnings equating to just 69 percent of that of their male counterparts.
Nearly 60% of women in Montana earn less than a living wage, or a wage that allows a family to meet basic needs without public assistance, and which provides for some ability to deal with emergencies and to plan ahead.
Statewide, 41.6% of female householders with children under age 18 and no husband present live in poverty and more than half (58.5%) with related children under age 5 live in poverty. (2000 Census)
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Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
