Are you interested in helping reduce inequities in our homeless response system? Do you want more data on system equity? If so, please contact us and learn more about how to be involved in West Central equity planning.
Equity Data
The West Central CoC conducts an annual equity analysis to determine if inequities exist in our homeless response system. Below are the results of our findings.
2021
- Native Americans, African Americans, and All other Races together only make up 17% of the population but 49% of those experiencing homelessness.
- Native Americans represented 22% of those experiencing homelessness, 19% in emergency shelter, 19% in transitional housing, and 16% in permanent housing.
- Whites represented 51% of those experiencing homelessness, 63% in emergency shelter, 50% in transitional housing, 51% in permanent housing.
- African Americans represented 17% of those experiencing homelessness, 18% in emergency shelter, 20% in transitional housing, 20% in permanent housing.
- Whites have the highest returns to homelessness at 53%, followed by Native Americans, at 18%.
2020
2019
Why Prioritize Equity?
•Data
shows inequity:
National and regional data show disparities in who experiences homelessness
and, in some instances, the outcomes within the homeless system.
Persons who are black, indigenous, Hispanic (non-white), and LGBTQ are
disproportionally more likely to experience homelessness than their white,
straight, and gender conforming counterparts.
•COVID
has shown systemic biases and disparities:
COVID-19 has amplified the historic and current racial biases and
discrimination embedded in our systems, processes, and practices.
•HUD
Priority:
HUD is emphasizing system and program changes to address equity within CoCs,
including Racial Equity as one of it’s 7 priorities to end homelessness. Equity
goals are tied to scoring in this years NOFO.
•Support
quality services: We have a responsibility to ensure services
are delivered by organizations equipped to meet the needs of those who are most
vulnerable.
•Needs
time and attention to move forward: Setting goals explicitly related to
increasing equity and evaluating progress should be part of the overall
planning process and not an afterthought.
•Impact:
While some things are out of our control, we can make
system changes that impact system disparities.
Steps to assess how equitable your program is:
- Does your organization staff and leadership reflect the population you serve?
- Do your mission, vision, and goals identify reaching out to populations you wish to serve?
- Do your media documents intentionally target communities you want to serve?
- Do you track organizational and program outcomes by qualitative or quantitative data that include equity data?
- Do you have plans to improve their diversity and representation?
- How accessible is your organization is to the community (including things like hours in operation, locations, staff capacity, and intake ability)?
- Utilize the IDI or other equity assessment.