1. Homelessness
in Baltimore County
Sponsored by:
Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless
(BCCH)
2008

2. Myths & Assumptions
(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998)
 MYTH #1: With today’s economy, anyone can
get a job. Homeless people just don’t want to
work.
 FACT: According to the U.S. Conference of
Mayors’ 1997 Survey of 29 cities, almost 1 in
5 homeless persons is employed in a full- or
part-time job. Eleven years later in Baltimore
County this data remains the same or higher.
(65% of the men are employed at the west side shelter)

3. Myths & Assumptions
(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998)
 MYTH #3: There are plenty of shelters and
services for homeless people. People on the
streets don’t want help.
 FACT: In most areas, including Baltimore
County, there are more people in need of
shelter than available shelter beds. In FY 08
8,728 people were turned away from
shelters.

4. Myths & Assumptions
(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998)
 MYTH #5: A homeless person could find
housing, even with a minimum wage job.
 FACT: A minimum wage worker earning
$6.55/hour in Maryland would need to work
155 hours per week in order to afford a 2
Bedroom unit.
Would you be able to live on that
income?

5. Myths & Assumptions
(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 1998 & Baltimore County Point In Time Survey 2008)
 MYTH #6: America’s generous welfare
policies and extensive safety net prevent
children from becoming homeless.
 FACT: Declining welfare benefits and
housing assistance have contributed to
record numbers of children who experience
homelessness in the US.
 Approximately 1/3 of those in shelters in
Baltimore County are children

6. What is the TRUTH about Baltimore County?
(Baltimore County Homeless Management Information System, 2007, to date)
 In 2008, Baltimore County identified 6,303
homeless people (5,400 were identified in
2007).
 Of the 6,303 homeless people, 70% were
women and children.
 The #1 reason for homelessness in Baltimore
County: INABILITY TO PAY
RENT/INSUFFICIENT INCOME/LOST JOB

7. What is the Truth in the Baltimore
County? (Baltimore County Point in Time Survey January, 2008)
 67% were families
 2,069 were children under the age of 17
 9% were veterans
 58% were homeless for the first time
 41% Caucasian 56% African American
4% Hispanic

8. What Does Homelessness Look Like?
 Single women
 Single men
 Two-parent intact families
 Single parent families
 Veterans
 Elderly
 Working individuals & parents
 Infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age
children, and teens
 College and post college educated

9. How Does Homelessness Happen?
 Lack of Affordable Housing
 Poverty: Effect of Income and Wages
 Physical & Mental Health Concerns
 Vulnerability of Single Parents & Extended Families
 Domestic Violence
 Effect of Political Trends & Influence
 Natural Disasters
ALL FACTORS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO
HOMELESSNESS

10. Income, Wages, & Housing
 A minimum wage worker at $6.15 per hour,
working 40 hours per week, can afford a
monthly rent not to exceed $341.00.
The fair market rent for a 2
bedroom unit in Baltimore County is
$1,013.00 per month.

11. Availability of Affordable Housing
 Barriers to moving into own home:
 Security deposits ( may be 2 months
rent plus first months rent needed)
 Cost of rising utilities
 Credit issues
 Lack of public transportation and child
care limits employment opportunities

12. Physical & Mental Health
 2008: In Baltimore County 50% of homeless persons reported
no health insurance (Point in Time)
 89% of these persons use the emergency room for care, some
visiting over 100 times in 1 year
 Chronic health problems difficult to treat and monitor
mental & addictive disorders, hypertension, diabetes, and

HIV/AIDS
 Other health problems frequently occurring in those that are
homeless include cancer, incontinence, sores that don’t heal,
respiratory infections, and high risk pregnancies

13. Physical & Mental Health
 Limited long term resources for follow-up care
for individuals leaving mental health facilities
 Problems resulting directly from
homelessness include cardiovascular, leg
ulcers, upper respiratory infections, and
frostbite
 No follow up provided for treatment following
an illness or respite for post surgery

14. Family Composition
 Single parents and extended families are
More at risk for becoming homeless because;
they tend to have less financial resources

and have more environmental stress than two-parent

intact families.

15. What about Children who Experience
Homelessness?
 1382 homeless children attended Baltimore
County Public Schools during 2006-2007
school year.
(1200 in 2007)
 The Baltimore County emergency shelters
have seen up to 110 children a night
(2006).

16. How can I tell that a child may be
homeless?
 Hunger & food hoarding  Aggressive or
withdrawn behavior
 Frequent fatigue
 Difficulty trusting
 Numerous absences
 Unattended
from school
medical/dental needs
 Inadequate hygiene or
 Low self-esteem
grooming
 Emotionally needy

17. What about the Elderly who
experience homelessness?
 Severe & harsh living conditions effect physical and mental state
earlier.
 50-65 year olds cannot receive Medicare
 Monthly SSI benefits:$637 /average monthly (7/2008)—BELOW
POVERTY LINE
 Isolation effects mental capacity
 Medically frail and more intensive medical needs

18. Why Should I Be Concerned About
Homelessness?
 Many households are only two paychecks
or a medical illness away from
homelessness.
 Shelter is a basic human need.
It effects children and families and
individuals.
$37,200 to shelter a family
 It costs approximately
of 4 for one year. In comparison, to rent a 2 bedroom
apartment costs approximately $13,000 per year.

19. What Can I Do About It?
 Volunteer
 Donate
 Advocate
 Educate
 Participate

20. WORKING TOGETHER
WE CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE

21. Where can I get more general
information about homelessness?
 Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless
(BCCH)
A community-based group that, through public

education, advocacy, and action-oriented solutions,
works to alleviate, and ultimately eliminate,
homelessness in Baltimore County.
www.bcchcares.org

National Alliance to End Homelessness

www.endhomelessness.org

National Law Center for Poverty and Homelessness

www.nlchp.org


22. How Can I learn more about
homelessness in my own community?
 National Coalition for the Homeless
 www.nationalhomeless.org
 National Center for the Education of Homelessness
and Youth
www.naehcy.org


23. Sources
Burt,M.R., Aron, L.Y., Douglas, T., Valented, J., et. al. (1999) Homelessness:
1.
Programs and They Serve. Washington, DC: Interagency Council on the
Homeless.
2007 Baltimore County Point in Time Survey
2.
2006 Office of Transitional Living Report on Homelessness
3.
Baltimore County Homeless Management Information System
4.