By The Numbers
Problem
There are 73,645 people living in poverty in Wake County (US Census Bureau).
8.5% of the population of Wake County is below the poverty line (US Census Bureau).
Approximately 1,152 people are homeless on any given night in Wake County, 181 of these people are children (NC Point In Time Count, 2009).
- 83.3% Renter-occupied housing units
- 29% of people in the civilian labor force are unemployed
- 44.5% of households have incomes less than $10,000
- The median household income is $11,308
- The per capita income is $5,561
- 52.5% of families are below the poverty line
- 32.8% of homes have a value of less than $50,000
- The median home value is $74,300
- 42.7% of people 25 years and older do not have a high school diploma
- 5.3% of people 25 years and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher
Solution
Passage Home serves over 500 people/year through its anti-poverty programs and services.
Over the past three years (2006-2008), a total of 474 people who were homeless (172 adults, 302 children) have been served by our transitional housing programs. In this period, of the adults that have left the program, an average of:
- 76% were able to maintain employment and/or increase income
- 72% established a savings account for at least six months
- 76% followed a budget and maintained family goals for a minimum of six months
- 75% who left for permanent housing were able to maintain it for at least six months.
Since 1996, Harriet’s House has served approximately 120 families with an 80-85% success rate, or a 15-20% recidivism rate.
Over the past three years (2006-2008), 186 prospective homeowners were counseled with homebuyer education and 149 people maintained Individual Development Accounts to assist in the purchase of their first home.
In 2007-2008, 28 people were qualified to purchase homes and 29 adults improved their credit and debt history.
Employment training was given to 255 people and 145 adults were placed.