WV Department of Human Services completes the largest study on homelessness the state has seen yet

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) and Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) announced the completion of the most in-depth homelessness study the state has seen yet.

Curated by SB 239 back in the 2023 regular session, a study was required to help break down the homelessness demographic, metrics and policy analysis throughout the state.

Between the DoHS and the BBH, 14 counties and 66 municipalities with the highest homeless demographic were covered within the study including Harrison, Marion and Monongalia counties.

Some of the key findings included that 48% of those within the study were between the ages of 25 and 44, the majority of those experiencing homelessness lived in more populated areas to be closer to services and family, and that the driving factors of homelessness included mental illness, being released from correctional facilities, lack of affordable housing and unemployment.

12 News spoke with DoHS Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, Christina Mullins, on how having such an in-depth study on the issue may benefit a resolution.

“It’s my hope that various agencies that serve the population will read the report with the eye of what can we do better. There are places in the report where you can learn from, sometimes it’s the data itself and sometimes it’s the quotes that are included from the people who are experiencing homelessness, and I think that we can all learn what we can do better, right? We can frame it. In my role, I see opportunities to move to do a better job making sure that individuals know how to access mental health and addiction services,” said Mullins.

The legislature has only required this to be a one-time study, so officials told 12 News that there are no plans for a follow-up report.

For additional information on homelessness resources, you can visit this website provided by the DoHS.

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