How big a problem is family homelessness in Minnesota? Is it growing or shrinking?
Homelessness is a growing problem, especially among families with children. Since 1991, the Wilder Foundation has conducted a survey of Minnesota’s population of homeless people every three years. Their latest estimate (based on an August 2006 census) is that on any given night, 9,200 are homeless in Minnesota, including more than 4,140 children. This is three times more people than were found to be homeless in 1991. Today, homeless children outnumber Minnesota’s entire homeless population from that 1991 survey. The popular image of homelessness — the single adult sleeping under a bridge — is simply not realistic any longer.
Homelessness is a growing problem, especially among families with children. Since 1991, the Wilder Foundation has conducted a survey of Minnesota’s population of homeless people every three years. Their latest estimate (based on an August 2009 census) is that on any given night, 9,800 are homeless in Minnesota, including more than 4,140 children. This is three times more people than were found to be homeless in 1991. Today, homeless children outnumber Minnesota’s entire homeless population from that 1991 survey. The popular image of homelessness — the single adult sleeping under a bridge — is simply not realistic any longer.
