Exploring whether there's a reduction of homeless people in Missouri and if the problem is solveable

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So many times I drive by street corners at a stoplight or off an exit ramp and see a person appearing to be homeless. Whether all these people are homeless is debatable, but that said, there are homeless people in Missouri and across the country.

The homeless crisis in Missouri is a complicated problem, but there are signs of hope on the horizon. Data suggests the number of homeless people in Missouri has declined in recent years which is an indication there have been efforts to address this issue. This doesn't mean the problem is gone, it means some efforts are paying off, and the decline isn't huge.

In KY3's article this week, Groups see progress in reducing homelessness in Missouri, relating to the Springfield, Missouri area and the state, one data resource was the National Alliance to End Homelessness website.

The National Alliance, founded in 1983, aims to end homelessness in the U.S. It's a non-partisan, non-profit organization. Visit here to learn about the chief people involved with this organization.

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According to the data collected by the National Alliance, between 2007 and 2022, Missouri's total homeless population went down by 4%. The sheltered population decreased by 15% and the unsheltered population rose by 44%. For every 10,000 in the state, there are 9.7 homeless people. Homeless people on a given night in 2022 numbered 5,992.

While some areas may see a downward trend which doesn't appear to be a lot, it's still a sign of progress.

The Missouri Balance of State Continuum of Care (MO BoS CoC) consists of a group of agencies within the HUD-designated geographical region that work together to bring an end to homelessness. The Lead Agency for this organization is the Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri.

Organizations across Missouri are working hard to connect the homeless population with resources such as temporary housing, job training, and mental health services. One step is looking at the root cause of each homeless person or family. You can't get people back on their feet if they don't have stable housing.

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The Missouri Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH), previously named the Governor's Committee to End Homelessness (GCEH), is said to lead the state's efforts to end homelessness in Missouri.

According to the Missouri House Development Commission (MHDC), of the 5,992 homeless number indicated above, 4,391 were sheltered and 1,601 were unsheltered. Visit here to learn more about the 2023 Missouri Homelessness Study.

Policymakers in Missouri are aware homelessness is an issue and steps need to continue toward allocating more funding and resources to address homelessness. In Homelessness in Missouri: An Evolving Crisis published in March 2024 by the Cicero Institute, the complicated issue of homelessness is addressed. This site indicates Missouri needs more solutions.

According to the think tank, Cicero Institute, "Missouri’s approach to homelessness policy is not working, and Missouri needs new solutions. But in order to address this crisis appropriately, it is imperative that policymakers are aware of the major trends in both the homeless population and in its capacity to respond." (Source.)

Visit here to see Cicero's data associated with the percentages of homeless persons who suffer from mental illness, chronic substance abuse, and chronic homelessness. The Cicero Institute also provides data information for Kansas City and St. Louis.

What's interesting about the Cicero Institute is that it's not in Missouri but in Texas. That's not to suggest that an out-of-state organization can't compose a report based on the information it receives or the research it performs.

Last year, a new Missouri law came into effect banning the homeless from sleeping on state-owned land. The law didn't pass without opposition. It did pass, however, with help from the Cicero Institute out of Texas.

Cicero is staunchly opposed to the federal Housing First model, which prioritizes permanent, affordable housing as the entry-point for solving homelessness. Instead, Cicero advocates for short-term shelter and prioritizing treatment of substance use and mental health. (Source.)

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Later in 2023, this law known as House Bill 1606 was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court stating it was unconstitutional, which Missouri advocates applauded. There were at least two lawsuits filed against HB 1606.

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling saying cities can ban people from sleeping and camping in public places. On one hand, people agree with this ruling while on the other, people say there needs to be more housing help.

At least every other year, the Point in Time Count is performed by every community across the country during the last 10 days of January. This is when homeless people are counted on a single time. This information provides communities, the federal government, and agencies with a picture of homelessness.

We need homelessness to be a thing of the past. Every capable person should have the opportunity to thrive. Homelessness continues to be a complicated problem, and it's hard to believe it's not a solveable one with well-coordinated systems in place within each community.

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A significant factor, however, is the availability of affordable housing. Maybe if there were more low-income and subsidized housing options, we could provide stable living situations for those needing help. Individuals and families need rental help and support services before they fall into homelessness.

An additional and important factor is looking into the underlying causes of homelessness, which include mental health issues, substance abuse, and the lack of access to a job opportunity. This would mean there has to be more access to mental health services, addiction treatment programs, and job training programs. The goal is to help people achieve self-sufficiency.

With positive strategies and community-wide efforts, a reduction of the number of homeless persons is possible and maybe even the eventual end to this situation for too many. Solving homelessness in Missouri requires a strong collaborative effort that involves the government, non-profit organizations, and the community.

There has to be an ongoing commitment to address the problem so everyone has a safe and stable place to call home. Every homeless person or family has a story that brought them where they are today.

Thanks for reading.