Communities across America reported in their annual Point-in-Time counts that they had reduced chronic homelessness among people with disabilities by 27% since 2010 and by 7% between 2015 and 2016 alone. Looking at this data more closely, it is worth noting:
- In smaller cities, counties, and regional Continuums of Care, chronic homelessness was reduced between 2015 and 2016 by an even greater 13%, and unsheltered chronic homelessness by 18%.
- Some major cities experienced an increase in the number of people with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness between 2015 and 2016, leading to a 2% increase among major city Continuums of Care as a whole.
- More than 68% of people counted as experiencing chronic homelessness were staying in unsheltered locations, more than twice the rate of unsheltered homelessness (32%) among all people experiencing homelessness.
As we look ahead to the new year, we should reflect on this data, the progress we have made, the strategies that got us there, and the urgent work we still have left to do to provide housing and support to this vulnerable population.
The eight states chosen for an intensive technical assistance initiative designed to help strengthen collaboration between state Medicaid, housing, and behavioral health agencies came together recently in Washington to review their accomplishments and discuss the work ahead. 
