Homelessness in Iowa: The 1992 Summary.

This summary report provides a brief overview of the definitions, methodologies, and findings related to the census of homeless persons conducted in Iowa in 1992. Definitions provided by the McKinney Act and the Department of Education, and the definition used for the Iowa study are included. Questionnaires were administered to school personnel, agency personnel, public housing authorities, and shelter personnel. Responses were received from 1,176 school districts, 14 community action programs, 100 Department of Human Services personnel, 48 general relief agencies, 39 public housing authorities, and 55 shelters. The following findings are highlighted: (1) the number of persons reported "on the street" and "in shelter" has increased; (2) the number of persons reported as"quasi-homeless" decreased, although the number of children described as "quasi-homeless" increased; (3) there was an apparent increase in the numbers of children who are in school compared to previous years; and (4) a total of approximately 1.5 percent of the state population is homeless. Although previous years' research concerning homelessness in Iowa has increased public awareness of the problem, many communities and counties continue to deny the issue and assert that there are no homeless people in their communities, which contradicts official poverty figures. Study data are presented in 8 tables and 14 maps. Includes sample pages from the study instruments and 13 references. (JB)