The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness Annual Count looks at the number and demographics of persons experiencing literal homelessness. The following is a summary of local Annual Count data.
2019 Annual Count Data
2018 Annual Count Data
In 2018 8,495 people experienced at least one episode of homelessness in Kent County.*
Of those 8,495, 41.4% (3,525) were adults 25 and over, 7.2% (611) were unaccompanied youth ages 18-24, 25.3% (2,151) were adults in families, 32% (2,722) were children in families, 4.7% (398) were Veterans, and 11.8% (1,006) were Seniors 55 years and older. **
64% identified as Black/African American, 32% identified as White, 1% identified at American Indian or Alaska Native, 1% identified as Other, and 2% are Unknown.
11% identified as Hispanic/Latinx and 89% identified as Non-Hispanic/Non-Latinx
In 2018, 971 people in Kent County experienced chronic homelessness.
The system performance measures reflect the following data:
- LOT (Length of Time) Homeless – Emergency Shelter and Safe Haven – Average 60 days, Median 29 days (n=3,508, Reporting Dates: 10/1/2017 – 9/30/2018)
- Exits to Permanent Housing: 1,837
- Returns to Homelessness within 2 years: 19% (340)
*Data pulled from Grand Rapids/Wyoming/Kent County Continuum of Care’s Homeless Management Information System
**Some populations may cross over and therefore percentages may add up to more than 100%.