U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan revealed today that, his department for the first time ever, has begun to measure homelessness on a quarterly basis to gain a better understanding of the impact of the current economic crisis on homelessness.
In the first ‘Homeless Pulse Project” for the first quarter 2009, nine geographically diverse areas across the country are participating, including Lakeland/Winterhaven/Polk County, in Florida.
The “Homeless Pulse Project” which measured the number of homeless individuals seeking shelter from January to March 2009, showed that while there was an overall decline from 2008 to 2009, the Lakeland/Winterhaven/Polk County was the only community to experience a sizable shift in its total homeless population from 655 to 820 (25 percent).
Data from the Pulse Report also revealed that four of the nine communities, including Florida experienced an increase in the number of homeless in shelters.
Also, between 2008 and 2009, the number of unsheltered homeless persons more than doubled in the community of Lakeland/Winterhaven/Polk County, from 156 to 377.  Three other communities, also experienced increases in their unsheltered homeless.
The nine geographically diverse areas participating in the “Homeless Pulse Project” are:
1. Phoenix/Mesa/Maricopa County, Arizona
2. Bridgeport, Stratford, and Fairfield, Connecticut
3. Washington, DC
4. Lakeland/Winterhaven/Polk County, Florida
5. Kentucky Balance of State
6. Shreveport/Bossier/Northwest, Louisiana
7. New York City
8. Cleveland/Cuyahoga County, Ohio
9. Richmond/Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties, Virginia
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development says that this up-to-date information will enhance its ability to respond to the economic crisis and inform public policy.
HUD also stated that, in the coming months, it intends to expand the number of communities participating, in view of relatively small number, which cannot give a complete national picture.
This is test