The point-in-time count of homeless persons in Topeka took place on January 26th, 2021. This one day event produces a snapshot of the individuals in our community experiencing homelessness as defined by Housing and Urban Development. This data is used to support federal funding for the Continuum of Care Initiative. In 2020 the Topeka shelters saw 254 people experiencing homelessness. In 2021 that number decreased to 155 due to COVID restrictions at the shelters. 9% of the homeless population in Topeka was under 18, for a total of 28 persons under 18. Overall the numbers of homelessness in Topeka decreased from last year, however the number of homeless people living on the streets increased from 65 people in 2020 to 105 people this year
“The point-in-time count helps us to identify those people in need and to attain the resources that we need to help them,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka. “We want to thank all the volunteers who helped us with the count and who are helping to make our community better.”
The information gathered during the point-in-time count helps the City of Topeka understand the face of homelessness in the community so that services are meeting the needs of homeless persons. This count also helps to raise public awareness surrounding issues with homelessness and measures the community progress towards preventing and ending homelessness.
The City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division has totaled the numbers from this year’s point-in-time count. This one day event produced a snapshot of individuals in our community experiencing homelessness.
- 298 People experiencing homelessness.
- 123 Households experiencing homelessness.
- 16 individuals are veterans.
- 52% of people were in an emergency shelter, 13% were in transitional housing and 35% were unsheltered.
Thirty-five individuals helped with the point-in-time homeless count. Below is a chart that details and compares the numbers from 2020 and 2021.
2020 2021
| People | 401 | 298 |
| Households | 306 | 123 |
| % of veteran households | 10 | 16 |
| % in an emergency shelter | 63 | 52 |
| % in transitional housing | 13 | 13 |
| % unsheltered | 24 | 35 |