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
The Iowa Institute for Community Alliances releases data about homelessness in Iowa each year. You can read their latest Snapshot Report here. They also recently released an updated 2021 Point in Time Report.
11,777
homeless Iowans in 2019
These homeless individuals were served by emergency shelters and other housing housing services. (From the ICA 2020 Snapshot)
2,725
Iowans homeless on a single given night in 2021
This includes both sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals in Iowa on a single night. (Data from the ICA 2021 Point in Time Report)
576
homeless on a single night in Polk County alone
Of the 2,700+ homeless Iowans on a single night in 2021, more than 20% were in Polk County. (Data from the ICA 2021 Point in Time Report)
Feeding America
Feeding America provides information about the state of hunger in each state through their Map the Meal Gap initiative. According to their latest data:
9.7
of Iowans face food insecurity (305,100 people)
15.3%
of children in Iowa are food insecure (111,520 kids)
41,720
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.