Case: The Grand Island, NE Ministerial Association contacted the Center for Rural Research & Development to help them document the extent of homelessness in their community. (This study was replicated in Kearney, NE with very similar results.)
Methodology: The consultant worked with a committee of the Ministerial Association to compose a documentation log. These logs, along with cover letters and postpaid return envelopes were then mailed to two targeted segments, 51 churches and 24 agencies/departments which were perceived as encountering homeless persons.
Results: The logs documented one hundred and thirty two persons was documented as homeless (109) or near-homeless (23).
The analysis profiled of the homeless in Grand Island as follows:
- The majority were younger people
- There were a significant number of children among the homeless
- The majority of homeless were from Nebraska.
- Homeless children tended to be young
- Most homeless were Caucasian and spoke English
- The main reasons for homelessness were because the people were new in town or had been foreclosed/evicted from housing
- The principle needs of the persons included not only shelter/lodging, but also food and medical care
- The dollar value of assistance presently provided was very small
- The largest group of homeless people who were not provided with any shelter were children
The Ministerial Associations have worked with area agencies that have successfully obtained grants for assistance to the homeless. Documenting the number of homeless persons was a key component of these grants.