KnoxHMIS Releases Report Showing Changes in Homelessness during Pandemic
Knoxville Homeless Management Information System (KnoxHMIS) recently released its 2020 Annual Report showing surprising changes in homelessness during the pandemic. KnoxHMIS is a secured computer data collection system used by social service agencies in the greater Knoxville area who provide housing and related supportive services within the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS). Nate First, SWORPS’ Program Manager, noted that the findings of the 2020 KnoxHMIS Annual Report reflect notable differences in a pandemic year, particularly for homeless services in Knox County, and highlight trends and salient data on veterans, unaccompanied youth, racial minorities, persons experiencing chronic homelessness, and other important subpopulations.
In 2020, 130 HMIS users at 19 KnoxHMIS Partners served 7,796 persons experiencing homelessness in Knoxville/Knox County, including 664 families with 1,998 members, 5,248 single adults, and 550 unaccompanied youth. These Knox neighbors collectively had over 15,000 project entries in 74 programs and received over 325,000 units of service (e.g., meals, bed-nights, rental assistance, counseling sessions). For 72% of projects entered, clients left to a better housing situation than when they began, while 17% exited with negative destinations and 11% to destinations equivalent or unknown. Compared with the prior year, 2020 saw 21% fewer clients, including 34% fewer new clients and a 12% drop in returning clients. By the end of 2020, KnoxHMIS recorded its 58,641st unique client record, representing over 16 years of service since 2004.
Beyond those who were literally homeless in 2020 (those staying in shelters or in places not meant for habitation), this report also includes individuals at imminent risk of losing housing, as well as some who, after one or more episodes of homelessness, now receive support to remain stably housed. All such services are key to the community’s strategic response to reduce the prevalence and negative impact of homelessness.
KnoxHMIS started operation in 2004 through the efforts of Dr. David Patterson, Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor of Mental Health Research and Practice at the UT College of Social Work. KnoxHMIS is a collaborative project between the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS). As part of University of Tennessee-Knoxville land-grant mission, KnoxHMIS serves as a community outreach research partner and endeavors to engage with community partners to foster greater understanding of the social consequences, human impact, and other deleterious effects of homelessness.
Please click below to read the report in its entirety: https://knoxhmis.sworpswebapp.sworps.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2021/10/KnoxHMIS_2020-Annual-Report.pdf
For past reports and data, visit https://knoxhmis.sworpswebapp.sworps.utk.edu/resources/