Dakota Woodlands has been in Eagan for over ten years now. Unfortunately, the problem of homelessness is far worse than it was ten years ago. Back then, there were an estimated 13,000 Minnesotans who were homeless. Now, more than 21,000 Minnesotans are without stable housing. On any given night, an estimated 8,800 people are homeless in the state of Minnesota. That doesn't include people who are precariously homeless, staying with friends or family members.
Homelessness begins as a housing issue, but it is so much more. The issues of homelessness and affordable housing are interconnected. The gap between what people can afford to pay for housing and the cost of housing is a major reason for homelessness. To put it in simple terms, homelessness is a math problem. Housing is considered affordable if it constitutes 30% or less
of a household’s gross income. But many people spend much more than a third of their income. When people spend more, they do not have enough income to meet the basic family budget needs (food, clothing, transportation, childcare and health-related expenses) or to weather any setbacks or unplanned financial issues.
More apartments are available now. We all see the rental property signs advertising available units. But, they aren’t affordable. According to the 2006 Market Survey through the Dakota County Community Development Agency, which covered 20,533 rental units. An average one bedroom rented for $735 per month, a two-bedroom $900 and a three-bedroom $1,188. It takes an annual income of approx. $36,000 to afford an average two-bedroom unit in Dakota County. This is an hourly rate of approx. $17.30 which is a significantly higher wage than many Dakota County residents and workers earn. A minimum wage earner would need to work more than 115 hours a week to afford Dakota County’s fair market rent for a two- bedroom apt ($900). The cost of rent in Minnesota has outpaced incomes for most Minnesotans. The average rent costs are up 34% in the past ten years, while the average rental income has increased only 9%.
But the causes of homelessness include more than the inability to find housing that is affordable. Besides housing, the other considerations include; the economy, declining wages, job loss, lack of job skills and the adult’s education to name a few. There are other expense related concerns including; child care expenses, transportation barriers, illness, divorce or separation. Plus, homelessness can be a vicious circle, with no phone number, permanent address or place to change and shower, it can be very hard for someone who is homeless to find or maintain jobs.
In addition to the issues related to adults, there are significant concerns regarding children who are homeless. As shown in the most recent survey of homelessness in Minnesota, conducted by the Wilder Research Center, “an estimated 10,600 children were either homeless or living in temporary arrangements on any recent night.” There are more homeless children today than the total number of homeless people in 1991.
Homeless children are not simply at risk; most endure physical, psychological, and emotional damage due to the circumstances that accompany homelessness. Homeless children suffer from poor nutrition and a higher rate of infectious diseases, asthma and related conditions. They lack access to consistent health care, which increases the severity of the illnesses. Children’s academic performance is hindered both by poor cognitive development and constant mobility. Homelessness inhibits physical, emotional, cognitive, social and behavioral development in children.
Most homeless preschoolers experience a major developmental delay, such as delayed speech. Older homeless children experience four times the rate of developmental delays, three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems, twice the rate of learning disabilities as housed children.
To learn more about homelessness in our community,
we recommend the following web sites:
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless: http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org
For more research on homeless adults and youth in Minnesota: http://www.wilder.org/fileadmin/user_upload/research/Homeless2003.pdf
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