Homelessness is a complex social issue with many different causes. The families that come to our shelter have a variety of circumstances that have led to their homelessness.
Who are the homeless families that we serve?
• Ninety-five percent (95%) of our clients are the working poor – meaning at least one family member is employed.
• Most are employed in retail or service positions paying between $5.15 and $8.00 per hour. It takes 2.4 wage earners at these wages to afford an average priced two-bedroom apartment in Greeley ($693/mo.)
• All of our Emergency Shelter residents are drug and alcohol free (a requirement for entering our program)
• Sixty percent (60%) are single-parent families and 38% are two parent families (as compared to 75% and 21% respectively in 2004). This indicates that increasingly, two-parent families are finding it difficult to remain in their homes.
• Most of the adults are young – 65% are age 18 to 30, and 65% are Hispanic (as compared to 70% Hispanic in 2004…again indicating that the demographics are changing, and more Anglos/other races are experiencing homelessness.
• The majority of clients served come from Greeley/Evans (65%) and surrounding Weld County communities (25%). About 10% of our clients come from other parts of Colorado (primarily metro Denver) or from out of state.
• The average length of stay for our families is about 39 days, and 85% of them find housing and employment before they leave our program.