Despite declines in the number of homeless people in Springfield the past three years, there is not enough capacity for local organizations to help all of those in need. As the stock of safe and affordable housing shrinks, so do opportunities for stable and permanent housing solutions.
Filling the gap in beds and services in the city would cost several million dollars. But those working to reduce homelessness and provide long-term solutions at the Community Partnership of the Ozarks say prevention can be a cheaper and more effective alternative to addressing capacity issues .
From October 2022 to September 2023, a total 1,654 individuals were served in the local homeless system. A large majority, 797 households, were experiencing homelessness for the first time. Adam Bodendieck, CPO’s senior director of homeless services, told Springfield City Council on Tuesday that these households most commonly are in a doubled-up housing situation that is not sustainable long-term. Households often find themselves in that situation after facing eviction due to rent prices they can’t afford.