On September 25, 2012, the South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium begins its annual survey and count for those identified as Homeless. According to the report, the number of homeless individuals was 1,166.
The South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium is a statewide organization that was created in 2000. They document their history as “a coalition of service providers, individuals, local and state government departments, and faith-based organizations, working together to address homelessness.” The Consortium believes “that housing and other basic human needs should be within everyone's reach in an affordable and dignified manner.”
They describe one of their goals as an effort to raise awareness about homelessness in South Dakota. In 2009, they began an annual statewide homeless count and survey. They document “who the homeless are, where they are located, and what services they need to become self-sufficient.” They publish their reports for use by service organizations and government agencies that need to allocate resources to the homeless.
The consortium has an open invitation to any person with an interest in preventing homelessness, or those who have been homeless, to become members of the Consortium.
In more recent survey the number of homeless in South Dakota has been estimated at between 1,300 and 1,400 persons. That is up about 15% from the number of homeless individuals identified in the survey published on September 25, 2012.
Production help is provided by Brad Tennant, Dakota Wesleyan University.