Homelessness and Poverty in Las Cruces

What is Homelessness? Places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, and abandoned buildings; An emergency shelter; or Transitional housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelter. Add McKinney Vento stuff

It’s caused by a wide range of life situations, such as: Loss of a job End of a relationship Domestic violence Physical, emotional and sexual abuse Medical condition Substance abuse Poor physical health Mental health Broken families Lack of affordable housing Legal issues Lack of education Poverty

New Mexico 17,000 people are homeless for at least part of the year. Single adults, families with children, unaccompanied youth Extended homelessness has been shown to lead to early death at an average between 42 and 52 years of age. Due to the many untreated chronic health conditions as well as the hardship of living outdoors. New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from

In Las Cruces in ,000-3,000 unduplicated people become or remain homeless over the span of a year. In 2008, the Community of Hope served 3,028 unduplicated individuals about half of whom lived on the streets, in shelters or doubled up in motels. In 2007 the Southern New Mexico Homeless Providers Coalition and the New Mexico Coalition conducted a point-in-time count and identified a total of 380 homeless persons in Las Cruces in one night on the streets and in shelters.

Local numbers 56% of the homeless population is known to sleep outdoors. Youth numbers… fyi dana malone Families…jardin de los ninos Undocumented ???? Information from the Census income data believes an additional 2,000+ people (not currently served) are at risk of becoming homeless at any time.

Who are the homeless in Las Cruces? With separate slides for Families with children: FYI, Jardin, GospelRM? Veterans: Pamela all Survivors of domestic violence: la casa Unaccompanied Youth People with mental illness: SWCC Ralph via PA/Sue Elderly and disabled: part of MVCH Chronically homeless individuals: Pamela all Undocumented: Colonias Dev. Council, Pastoral Center, Catholic Diocese

Effects School, hospital, jail and ambulance costs, emergency, exasperation of problems, job instability, ability to get a job, idleness, heath effects, hopelessness, low-self esteem, loss of social ties, vulnerability

Community Solutions

How you can help Volunteer at a blah blah blah Donate used clothes blah blah blah Raise money for you agencies Say hello and smile at the next homeless person you see.