There is a clear and pressing need for programs and services for homeless and hurting people in Central Iowa — and throughout our state and country. Below are some general stats about local homelessness.
Iowa Institute for Community Alliances
Each year, the Iowa Institute for Community Alliances releases a snapshot report with comprehensive data of homeless shelter and services usage. You can read the latest report here. Here are some highlights:
12,180
homeless in 2018
These homeless individuals were served by emergency shelters and other housing housing services.
1,918
additional at-risk individuals
These additional individuals in need were served through transitional housing.
44%
in Polk County alone
More than a third of all homeless individuals in Iowa are from Polk County.
Feeding America
Feeding America provides information about the state of hunger in each state through their Map the Meal Gap initiative. According to their 2019 data:
10.9
of Iowans face food insecurity (341,890 people)
15.3
of children in Iowa are food insecure
52,160
people face hunger regularly in Polk County alone
Community Collaboration
As Hope Ministries works to meet the needs of those who are homeless, hungry, abused or addicted in Central Iowa, we work closely with many other local critical service providers—including veterans’ resources, medical services and education opportunities.