What Is Homelessness

According to the federal government, the definition of ‘homelessness’ is a condition in which an individual or family lacks a fixed, regular, nighttime residence; resides in a public or private residence that is not designed or intended to be a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; lives in a supervised shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements; and/or is at imminent risk of losing their housing and has no subsequent residence identified or resources to obtain other permanent housing.

Homelessness is not just ‘bad luck’ or individual circumstances. Homelessness occurs from a number of reasons – low wages, lack of employment opportunities or lack of housing that low-income people can afford. Without housing, they face eviction, instability and homelessness. Many homeless are survivors leaving an abusive relationship. Some of them are teens that are ‘couch surfing’ from house to house.

Homelessness is a very unique form of poverty, one that lacks personal relationships and financial resources. These individuals typically have no one to turn to for shelter or assistance. They are individuals who have gone through difficult experiences and need help getting back on their feet.

Carlton County

The extent of the problem is hard to measure. The individuals are very transitory and it changes from day to day. Some leave the area, some are transitioned to Duluth.

The numbers from Carlton county from a study done in 2018 indicated about 115 homeless with about 35% of them living in their vehicles. The numbers statewide showed an increase of approximately 9% prior to 2018.

Each year the State of Minnesota conducts a count of all persons experiencing homelessness, in both sheltered and unsheltered situations (Annual Point in Time Count).

According to the report from the 2023 MN Point In Time Count, it was reported that 8,393 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023. This represents a 6% increase from the 2022 count. The number of people in households with children experiencing homelessness increased by more than a quarter (27%) between the 2022 and 2023 count.

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