Barriers to Leaving Homelessness

It is easy to fall into homelessness but much more difficult to make it out. Many factors can combine to keep someone from leaving homelessness. These are the most common reasons, as reported by our guests for the 2016-17 season:

31% of our guests (68 people) reported alcohol or drug addiction in the last 12 months, but only four people came to us from a substance abuse facility.
46% of our guests reported serious mental health issues in the last year (down from 55% in 2015-16)
16% of our guests reported experiencing domestic violence in the last year
Of 15 Veterans that stayed at PACEM last winter, 1 was receiving VA benefits
6% (12 guests) were over retirement age, but only 3 guests were receiving social security retirement
26% of our guests were between 18-30 years old, the age where people are most employable