In January, 2008, a hands-on count located 1,752 homeless persons in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Fully, over one-third of these were children under the age of 18. Over a fourth of the adults were veterans. Seven out of ten adults reported working either part-time, seasonally, or full-time.  Click here for the full report.

Some of these people are getting help. Members of the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care have secured housing and jobs for parents, re-united families, provided funds for health care and prescription medication, and opened doors to further education. Success stories abound. Given opportunity, most homeless persons will transform their lives.
Sex
54.5% are Male
45.5% are Female

Age
39% are under children under 18 years old
58.8% are 18-60 years old
2.2% are Elderly and over 60 years old

Veteran
26.4% are veterans

Marital Status
88.1% are single
11.9% are married 		Disabling Conditions
61% have disabling conditions

Causes of Homelessness
27% due to Employment/Financial Reasons  
22% due to Housing Issues  
35% due to Medical Disability Problems  
2% due to Forced to Relocate From Home  
4% due to Family Problems  
10% due to Natural/Other Disasters  


How can anyone be homeless here?
  • 20% of our residents spend more than 50% of their income on housing
  • Foreclosures jumped 70% in 2006, and are on track to jump 83% in 2007
  • Jobs in the tourist industry are often seasonal, part-time, and/or unskilled
  • Less than half of those with mental illness seek treatment, or even recognize that they are ill

 
 


Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum Care / Opportunity, Inc.
941-L Central Avenue  |  Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
 Phone: (850) 226-7694  |  info@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org

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