Loveland Homeless Youth Point-in-Time Count/Survey Report

- 9 -Significance of Selected Categories of ResultsThe CountLoveland has a significant population of homeless youth relative to its population. Whilethere are differences between the communities, the most comparable Colorado city thathas conducted a homeless youth count and survey was conducted by Urban Peak inColorado Springs in August of the year 2000.Colorado Springs LovelandNumber of Homeless Youth Counted 50 18Population of Cities (2000 Census) 360,890 50,608Given Colorado Springs has a population over 7 times the size of Loveland it is notsurprising that the Colorado Springs count would be more than those counted inLoveland. While Colorado Springs conducted their count over a 2-hour period, they hadgood weather on the day of count, their downtown Acacia Park where homeless youthfrequently gathered, and downtown homeless feeding services that made their count lesschallenging than in Loveland.AgeThis count and survey focused on adolescent youth, not on younger children. While thestate of Colorado defines youth as those under the age of 18, Urban Peak and mosthomeless youth programs nationally include young people up to age 21. In fact someprograms are considering expanding their services to youth up to 24 years of age. Theage breakdown of the Loveland count/survey appears to be fairly evenly distributedbetween 15-21 yrs.EthnicityPlease note that there is a much higher percentage of Latino/Hispanic population than inthe census reported populations.Census 2000 Homeless CountAnglo/white 88% 61%Latino/Hispanic 9% 28%African Amer. 0.4% 0%Native American 0.7% 6%Other 2% 5%EducationThe homeless youth in this count exhibited a 75% higher rate of educational lack ofsuccess than the general high school population of Loveland.Educational statistics from this count/survey:Level of Education Achieved Number of YouthCompleted high school & received diploma 2Still enrolled and attending high school _ 2___Succeeded/Engaged 4 (22%)Copyright 2003 by Urban Peak