Release Date March 12, 2003 Covina, CA --- Amid new research being conducted on homelessness in the East San Gabriel Valley, a preliminary report reveals that 2,703 adults and children are homeless in the East San Gabriel Valley on any given day.

The East San Gabriel Valley Homeless Count" compiled by the Institute for Urban Research and Development, a community-based research non-profit agency, also reveals the following key findings:

• More than one out of every five persons counted was a child;

• One out of every three persons counted was a member of a family;

• Two out of every three adults stated that their last home address was within an East San Gabriel Valley city.

The preliminary report also reveals that homelessness has increased within the region over the past six years. The Institute for Urban Research and Development conducted a homeless count in 1997 that revealed that approximately 1,500 adults and children were homeless every day in East San Gabriel Valley.

Executive Director Joe Colletti, Ph.D. notes that one primary reason why there is an increase of homeless persons is because of the state of the economy. “The economy is worse today than six years ago. As the economy worsens, so does the number of homeless people.”

Another factor in the increased number of homeless persons identified is the growing number of families with children counted amongst the homeless population in the region. One out of every three persons counted was a member of a family. Don Smith, Director of Community Development for IURD, notes “the face of homelessness is rapidly changing in our communities to include more and more families with children once again highlighting the need for local leaders, employers, faith-based institutions, housing providers and others to become involved in creating long-term solutions to address the needs of homeless persons in our communities.”

The preliminary report also reveals that homeless people are closely tied to the cities in which they live. Two out of every three homeless adults living in the East San Gabriel Valley stated that their last home address was within an East San Gabriel Valley city. Paul Phillips, City Manager of the City of Covina, notes that “this confirms the fact that homeless persons in our communities today are people from our communities. Oftentimes, they went to school, or work, or have family members and friends who continue to live in our cities.”

A copy of the preliminary report is available from the Institute for Urban Research and Development web site www.homeless-research.com or by calling 626.444.9000

The Institute for Urban Research and Development is a community-based research organization that examines community issues facing local cities and neighborhoods in Southern California.

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