IN homelessness increases 1 percent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) - Indiana 's homeless population has risen slightly in 2011 from 2010, according to a study released by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Monday. However, the number is still down significantly from just a few years ago.

The IHCDA and two other organizations conducted a "point-in-time" study across all 92 counties the last week in January. The results showed 6,166 individuals were homeless, a one percent increase from 2010, but a 17 percent decrease from 2007.

673 of the adults counted were veterans, an eight percent increase from 2010.

Overall, the largest decrease was in the number of households with children experiencing homelessness. 18 percent of households counted had dependent children.

Below are bullet points sent by the IHCDA summarizing the main findings of the study:

-6,166 individuals comprising 4,408 households were homeless during the last week in January 2011.
-Of the 6,166 individuals found and identified as experiencing homelessness, 646 were unsheltered and found on the street, and 5,520 were staying in emergency shelters or in temporary transitional housing programs.
-18% of households counted, or 776 households (2,415 individuals), were households with dependent children.
-673 of the adults counted were veterans, an increase of 8% from 2010.
-1,009 of the adults counted were women fleeing from domestic violence.
-28% of the adults counted suffered from a chronic addiction.
-14% of the adults counted identified themselves as having a severe mental illness.
-10% of individuals counted can be characterized as "chronically homeless".