In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the increasing demand for family support services, revealing a significant rise in assessments conducted for families in crisis. From 2019 to 2023, the number of unduplicated assessments surged from approximately 3,000 to over 5,600, highlighting a growing need for assistance. The data indicates that many families are facing urgent situations, with the number of families living in their cars rising from 738 in 2019 to 1,241 last year. Additionally, families facing eviction have increased from 218 to 709 during the same period.

The meeting emphasized the importance of prioritizing families in the most critical need, akin to an emergency room triage system. Officials noted that while they are able to divert many families from entering the system—1,200 families were successfully diverted last year—there remains a substantial number of families who do not meet eligibility criteria or are not in immediate crisis.

A key strategy discussed was the practice of diversion, which aims to prevent families from entering the shelter system. This approach has proven effective, with about 80% of diverted families not returning to the system. However, concerns were raised about the sustainability of these efforts, as funding sources that have supported these initiatives, including significant contributions from private donors and pandemic relief funds, are set to expire at the end of the year.

Officials expressed anxiety about the potential impact on next year’s point-in-time count, which measures homelessness, as reduced funding could lead to more families entering the system. The meeting concluded with a call for continued support for families, emphasizing the need for ongoing assistance to address the underlying challenges they face, particularly in light of the observed behavioral issues among children in housing compared to those in shelters.