By The Star Staff
The results presented late last week in the “2024 Homeless People Count in Puerto Rico” report issued by the PR-502 and PR-503 Care Continuums (CofC) reveal an increase in the number of people who are homeless for the first time and in the number of older adults living on the streets.
The count showed that 55.4% of homeless people are facing the situation they find themselves in for the first time, compared to 51% in 2022. The main reasons are drug use (41.9%), family problems (34.3%), financial problems (16.9%), unemployment (15.9%) and mental health problems (14.1%).
“Counting is the most powerful tool we have to establish plans for organizations that address homelessness,” said Belinda Hill, president of CoC PR-502, in a written statement. “The goal is to offer recommendations and strategies that benefit the homeless population in a comprehensive manner, seeking to achieve self-sufficiency and retention in housing alternatives,” Hill said.
Yesenia Mojica Figueroa, who chairs the CoC PR-503 board of directors, emphasized that rural homelessness is a significant challenge.
“Rural homelessness may not be as visible, but it is real,” she said. “We need to raise awareness of the housing and service needs in rural areas.”
The report also revealed that the total number of homeless people in 2024 is 2,096, a lower number compared to 2022. However, the proportion of homeless adults aged 65 and older increased, with 49.8% of that group facing homelessness for the first time.
In terms of demographics, 67% of homeless people are between 25 and 64 years old, and 14.1% are over 65 years old. In addition, 78.3% of homeless people are men, while 25.8% are women, and 75.3% of homeless people reported being in vulnerable situations.
コメント