Hunger
According to the report – Hunger in America 2010, “In addition to living in poverty, recipients of emergency food have limited resources. 10% are homeless, 60% do not have access to a car, 46% had to choose between food and other basic needs, 40% had to choose between food and rent or mortgage payments, and 34% between food or medicine or medical care.”
The availability of the meals program helps individuals and families build their capacity for financial independence, improve the quality of their health and may prevent an episode of homelessness.
Last fiscal year the Freedom House Conrad Center:
- Served over 48,000 meals to 1,021 individuals and families
- Referred 664 individuals to housing, social services and veterans resources
- Hosted over 800 volunteers from churches, business and community groups that purchased, prepared and served dinner 364 days last year
Homelessness
Our local January 2011 Point In Time (PIT) Count of persons experiencing homelessness conducted by Homeward identified 943 homeless adults and 159 homeless children in the Richmond region. Of the 709 adults that completed the PIT survey, 78.2% are males and 21.5% are females. Of the those surveyed: 46.3% report having a problem with alcohol, 48.1% report having a substance abuse issue, 31.8% report having a mental health problem, 72.9% had spent time in jail or prison, 17.7% are veterans, 31.5% experienced domestic violence, and 79.7% were unemployed.
The population of homeless adults that Freedom House’s Community Shelter and Sean’s Place serves mirror barriers to permanent housing as those identified in the PIT Count. For this population, our transitional housing programs provide a period of stabilization, learning, and planning that is necessary for them to maintain long term substance abuse recovery, permanently leave homelessness and stay housed.
Last fiscal year, for persons in the Freedom House Community Shelter program staying for six months or longer:
- 83% moved to permanent housing
- 93% were employed – 36% full time, 64% part time
- 97% were drug and alcohol free at time of exit
