This document discusses myths and facts about homelessness in Baltimore County. It finds that the most common myth is that homeless people just don't want to work, but in reality almost 1 in 5 homeless persons has a job. It also finds that there are more people needing shelter than available beds. The largest cause of homelessness in the county is an inability to pay rent or insufficient income. The document calls for efforts to increase affordable housing and advocates that together the community can make a difference in addressing homelessness.

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.