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~Statistics~

Shelter
By Year 2006 2007
Total guests 364 309
Total number of days stayed 3,697 4,491
Average length of stay (days) 11 11
Total meals served 11,091 13,473
People turned away due to capacity 778 1,273
Total visitors for laundry, shower, etc. 605 519

Food Pantry
By Year 2006 2007
Total pounds of food distributed 327,175 333,101
Number of households served 5,852 5,533
Total Volunteer Hours 6,532.30 6,513.60

2006 Wilder Study About Homelessness in Fargo-Moorhead

Key Findings:

  • The total homeless population identified in FM area was 587 persons. The number of homeless persons is 49% higher than the number found in 2003.
  • Of the women interviewed 32% in Fargo and 29% in Moorhead had a child with them
  • The homeless population contains a disproportionate number of persons of color, particularly American Indian

Parents and Children:

  • 13% of parents in Fargo and 15% in Moorhead reported their children had to skip meals in the last month because there was not enough money to buy food

Education, Employment and Income:

  • In Fargo, 41% of homeless persons reported having a job and 15% reported working full-time. In Moorhead, 31% had a job and 13% worked full-time
  • For those who were not working the most common barriers were transportation, physical health problems, the lack of housing, mental health problems and criminal history

Homeless Youth and Young Adults:

  • For homeless youth and young adults interviewed, their average age the first time they left home to be on their own was 16.2 years old
  • Over half had left their homes less than six months prior to the survey date
  • Nearly half (45%) of female homeless youths and young adults reported having been pregnant and over one fourth (27%) of the males reported having fathered a child
  • Almost one-third (32%) of females reported having been approached to work in the sex industry

Health and Well-Being:

  • One common reason for women to seek temporary shelter is to flee an abusive partner
  • Mental illness is a significant problem among the homeless in the FM area. Over 40% were told by a doctor or nurse within the last two years that they have schizophrenia, manic-depression, bipolar disorder, some type of delusional disorder, major depression, anti-social personality disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • 43% in Fargo and 50% in Moorhead reported that they consider themselves to be alcoholic or chemically dependent
  • Close to two-fifths of homeless adults reported physical mistreatment as children. About one-fifth reported they were sexually mistreated as children

Changes in the face of homelessness from 2000 to 2006:

  • " A higher percentage of Fargo men who are homeless (36%) report that they are military veterans compared to 27% in Moorhead
  • The percent of people who have been homeless longer than one year is up in both cities; 34 to 45% in Fargo and 31 to 40% in Moorhead
  • The percentage of persons reporting serious or persistent mental health problems is up in both cities; 38 to 44% in Fargo and 35 to 43% in Moorhead
  • Nearly one-quarter of the adults in both cities report they have no income that they could use for rent

For more information visit www.wilder.org/research