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 homelessness and hunger in Iowa.
Iowa Institute for Community Alliances
10,656
homeless Iowans in 2021
These homeless individuals were served by emergency shelters and other housing housing services. (From the ICA 2021-2022 Snapshot)
2,826
Iowans homeless on a single given night in 2022
This includes both sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals in Iowa on a single night. (Data from the ICA 2022 Point in Time Report)
606
homeless on a single night in Polk County alone
Of the 2,600+ homeless Iowans on a single night in 2022, 23% were in Polk County. (Data from the ICA 2022 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:
7.3
of Iowans face food insecurity (229,500 people)
11%
of children in Iowa are food insecure (80,160 kids)
38,870
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.