WASHINGTON — The number of homeless individuals in the D.C. region dropped over the past year by more than 1,000, according to a new report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
The study, released Wednesday, shows there are now 11,128 homeless people living in the area, a decrease of 1,087 when compared to last year.
Researchers based the figures on a one day “snapshot” in January across nine jurisdictions.
“It was a 9 percent decrease in homelessness in the region compared to 2016,” said Michael Ferrell, chairman of the council’s Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee. “In general, this year’s decrease is attributable to the District of Columbia’s reduction.”
Among the jurisdictions that were analyzed, D.C. experienced the largest decrease in the number of homeless individuals, down 877.
The greatest percentage decrease was in Loudoun County, Virginia, where homelessness dropped by 16 percent.
Arlington County, Virginia, was the only jurisdiction to see an increase. The number of homeless individuals there rose by 33 percent.
According to Ferrell, the D.C. region’s overall success in driving down the numbers can be attributed to a dedication to providing shelter and other services to homeless individuals and families.
Over the past five years, the number of homeless individuals across the region dropped by 4 percent.
All nine jurisdictions also have made considerable progress in reducing homelessness among veterans.
Since 2013, the number of homeless veterans has dropped by 41 percent, exceeding the national rate of reduction by 6 percent.
“The overall reduction in the veteran homeless count is attributable to the targeted funding from the federal government in the form of vouchers which are used for permanent housing, in addition to local funding,” said Ferrell.
Stagnant wages and a lack of affordable, permanent housing opportunities remain the most significant and persistent obstacles to ending homelessness in the region, according to the report.
Participating jurisdictions include the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, the District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Frederick County, Loudoun County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Prince William County.
