The North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People (NDCHP), an NLIHC State Coalition Partner, is using their December 2012 report to show the impact of North Dakota’s growing energy industry on local homeless populations. The Tipping Point: Unsheltered Outnumber Sheltered, the Unintended Consequences of a Robust Economy, contextualizes the state’s changing homelessness dynamics via data obtained during an additional point in time (PIT) count conducted during the summer of 2011. Advocates say the report has given them the ability to develop and promote policy recommendations that are tailored to the state’s unique affordable housing and homeless crises. North Dakota’s booming oil industry has attracted job seekers from other parts of the country with poor economic conditions. This influx has led to greater shortages of the state’s affordable housing stock and record homelessness. Since housing production has not kept up with demand, the state has experienced a three to fourfold increase in housing prices, and decreased vacancy rate, going as low as 0% in some jurisdictions. These conditions have significantly impacted people with low and fixed incomes, in addition to those with special needs. For instance, housing vouchers are difficult, in some cases impossible, to use due to the low vacancy rate, and if housing is found, the cost often exceeds the parameters of the voucher. Some landlords are adopting month to month rental agreements to enable multiple rent increases per year and HUD subsidized housing projects are opting out as soon as they can to take advantage of current market rates.NDCHP received reports from service providers indicating an increase in the number of people experiencing homeless in the summer rather than the winter, the time of year when the HUD point in time count for sheltered and unsheltered homeless is conducted. NDCHP, which manages the state’s Homeless Management Information system, determined it necessary to conduct an additional PIT count in July to gain a better understanding of how changing conditions were influencing homelessness.The results, included in the NDCHP report, show unprecedented numbers of unsheltered homeless individuals (966), exceeding the number of sheltered individuals (807) for the first time in state history. NDCHP found that a large percentage of people experiencing homelessness were employed and more families with children were in need of assistance More than 40% of homeless people counted came to the state within the last year seeking employment or came with someone else seeking employment. Of these, more than 70% reported they would not have permanent housing if they returned to their home state. In addition, traditional barriers to housing stability, for instance mental illness, chemical dependency and domestic violence, were also present with out-of-state job seekers.Among its’ policy recommendations, NDCHP encourages Governor Jack Dalrymple (R) to appoint a task force to create a balanced statewide housing plan that assures the state’s most vulnerable people – particularly seniors and those with fixed incomes – are not left behind in any workforce housing development plans. Advocates also called for the renewal of the state’s Housing Incentive Fund (HIF), which has more than doubled the pace of affordable housing production. During the 2013 legislative session, NDCHP urged lawmakers to approve the governor’s request for the fund to be reauthorized with a $20 million tax credit increase and an additional $30 million in general appropriation (see Memo, 10/12/12). In May, the legislature renewed the HIF at $35.4 million with $2 million set aside for homeless services over the 2013-14 biennium. This appropriation represents an increase from $15 million with no set-aside for homeless services in 2011, when the fund was created. Among other recommendations, NDCHP proposes the establishment of a state-funded prevention and rapid re-housing program, increased supportive services, and funding for nonprofit capacity building as the rising crisis has placed great demand on nonprofit staff and resources. Advocates also recommend the development of temporary emergency shelters to help alleviate the crisis at its height, but could be repurposed for supportive housing or other needs as the need for emergency shelter is replaced by housing opportunities. "We are facing significant housing challenges in North Dakota,” said Michael Carbone, NDCHP’s executive director. “We are also fortunate enough to have significant resources to meet those challenges. Now we must use the data to inform our priorities and set us on a course to provide appropriate housing for all North Dakotans, especially the most vulnerable among us." To view the report visit: www.ndhomelesscoalition.org For more information: Michael Carbone, Executive Director of the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People, [email protected]