Common use of Demographic Information Clause in Contracts

Demographic Information. The Chattanooga region’s homeless population can be divided into four major subgroups: unaccompanied single adults, adults in families, children in families and unaccompanied youth under age 18. Chart 1 breaks down the population between these four groups, using data both from the Homeless Health Care Center and Service Point:18 3% 23% 18% Unaccompanied Single Adults Adult Family Members Children in Families Unaccompanied Youth These percentages vary slightly from the national averages. Chattanooga’s homeless population has a smaller percentage of children and a higher representation of single adults than the nation as a whole. This may be because housing is less expensive than in many other parts of the United States. A mother who works at a low-wage job or receives entitlements is more likely to be able to break into the housing market in Chattanooga than in cities with high housing costs. At the same time, single adults in the Chattanooga region are more likely to be among those most vulnerable to homelessness because, unlike a number of states, Tennessee does not offer public assistance to single adults. Without this safety net, single adults 18 These estimates combine data from the Homeless Health Care Center (which serves a clientele that is 66% unaccompanied single adults) and Service Point shelter and transitional housing use data (which is skewed 55% to family members because only three of the reporting facilities accept single men). Using additional information gathered from the street count and knowledge of non-reporting shelters capacity produced the estimates above. who cannot maintain full-time employment and do not qualify for disability entitlements are more likely to experience a housing emergency. Further analysis of the Homeless Health Care Center and Service Point data shows that the homeless population in the Chattanooga region has the following characteristics: • The Chattanooga region’s homeless population is split fairly evenly by gender, with men slightly outnumbering women. • The Chattanooga region’s homeless population is 48% white, 50% African- American and 2% Latino. • Most homeless people in the Chattanooga region (61%) are between the ages of 30 and 54 years old; 3% of the homeless population is 60 years old or older and 24% consists of children 18 years of age or younger. • Approximately 34% of homeless people served by the Homeless Health Care Center report having been “treated for nerves,” indicating a serious and persistent mental illness. Approximately 29% of homeless people known to Service Point self-report having mental illness. Providers estimate that the percentage of unaccompanied homeless single adults with serious mental illness is higher, in the 40-45% range. Very few adult members of homeless families have mental illness. • Approximately one-third of homeless people known to Service Point self-reported having abused drugs or alcohol. Providers estimate that the incidence of substance abuse is closer to 50% among unaccompanied homeless single adults, and less than 15% among adult members of families. • Providers estimate that about half of the homeless mentally ill population also has a secondary diagnosis of drug or alcohol addiction. • Providers estimate that 5-10% of the unaccompanied homeless single adult population is employed. • Approximately 15-25% of homeless single adults are veterans of the armed forces. • As much as 40% of the homeless family population has experienced recent domestic violence. Many more have histories of domestic violence victimization. • Providers estimate that approximately 80% of all homeless people in Chattanooga grew up or have family ties in Hamilton County.19

Demographic Information. The Chattanooga region’s homeless population can be divided into four major subgroups: unaccompanied single adults, adults in families, children in families and unaccompanied youth under age 18. Chart 1 breaks down the population between these four groups, using data both from the Homeless Health Care Center and Service Point:18 3% 23% 18% Unaccompanied Single Adults Adult Family Members 56% Children in Families 18% Unaccompanied Youth These percentages vary slightly from the national averages. Chattanooga’s homeless population has a smaller percentage of children and a higher representation of single adults than the nation as a whole. This may be because housing is less expensive than in many other parts of the United States. A mother who works at a low-wage job or receives entitlements is more likely to be able to break into the housing market in Chattanooga than in cities with high housing costs. At the same time, single adults in the Chattanooga region are more likely to be among those most vulnerable to homelessness because, unlike a number of states, Tennessee does not offer public assistance to single adults. Without this safety net, single adults 18 These estimates combine data from the Homeless Health Care Center (which serves a clientele that is 66% unaccompanied single adults) and Service Point shelter and transitional housing use data (which is skewed 55% to family members because only three of the reporting facilities accept single men). Using additional information gathered from the street count and knowledge of non-reporting shelters capacity produced the estimates above. who cannot maintain full-time employment and do not qualify for disability entitlements are more likely to experience a housing emergency. Further analysis of the Homeless Health Care Center and Service Point data shows that the homeless population in the Chattanooga region has the following characteristics: • The Chattanooga region’s homeless population is split fairly evenly by gender, with men slightly outnumbering women. • The Chattanooga region’s homeless population is 48% white, 50% African- American and 2% Latino. • Most homeless people in the Chattanooga region (61%) are between the ages of 30 and 54 years old; 3% of the homeless population is 60 years old or older and 24% consists of children 18 years of age or younger. • Approximately 34% of homeless people served by the Homeless Health Care Center report having been “treated for nerves,” indicating a serious and persistent mental illness. Approximately 29% of homeless people known to Service Point self-report having mental illness. Providers estimate that the percentage of unaccompanied homeless single adults with serious mental illness is higher, in the 40-45% range. Very few adult members of homeless families have mental illness. • Approximately one-third of homeless people known to Service Point self-reported having abused drugs or alcohol. Providers estimate that the incidence of substance abuse is closer to 50% among unaccompanied homeless single adults, and less than 15% among adult members of families. • Providers estimate that about half of the homeless mentally ill population also has a secondary diagnosis of drug or alcohol addiction. • Providers estimate that 5-10% of the unaccompanied homeless single adult population is employed. • Approximately 15-25% of homeless single adults are veterans of the armed forces. • As much as 40% of the homeless family population has experienced recent domestic violence. Many more have histories of domestic violence victimization. • Providers estimate that approximately 80% of all homeless people in Chattanooga grew up or have family ties in Hamilton ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ County.19