Did you know Reno recently ranked 11th worst in nation in per capita homelessness as a new point in time count looms?
The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a federal government mandated count of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January, including in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and safe havens.
Even though it’s not wholly accurate, the data it provides serves as a basis for funding programs and other important decisions.
Here’s a file photo from a recent point in time count, which will be taking place this year tomorrow nationally in many places and in Reno Thursday.
In a ranking recently released by Insider Monkey, Reno-Sparks ranked as having the 11th highest per capita of people without stable housing, estimated at 254 per 100-thousand residents, behind only San Diego, Savannah, San Francisco, Las Vegas (273), Anchorage, Seattle, San Jose (363), New York City (394), Los Angeles (397) and Eugene (432) in this worst of category.
These numbers are based on a 2022 report published by the City Mayors Society. Even though these aren’t to be trusted for accuracy either, this ranking does give an indication of cities having the most unhoused per their overall population, and too few people earning what is known as a “housing wage” in these areas.
The article also points to a recent study by Ken Chilton of Tennessee State University on how the growing prevalence of real estate investment trusts owning more and ore apartment buildings is worsening our collective affordability crisis.