A recent survey indicates that the number of homeless families in Montgomery County, Maryland, has significantly decreased, showing a remarkable 42% drop since last year. According to Christine Hong, the director of the county’s Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, “That’s huge.”
Conducted on a cold night in February, the annual point-in-time survey highlights a 26% overall reduction in the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness across the county.
The annual count, which is part of Montgomery County’s ongoing efforts, involves teams of volunteers and nonprofit organizations working together to document the homeless population. The survey encompasses individuals residing in shelters as well as those found sleeping outdoors overnight.
Hong attributed the significant reduction in homeless families to the success of the Short-Term Housing Resolution Program (SHaRP), which has played a crucial role in the county’s initiatives. “The fact that we housed so many people over the last year is truly a result of the SHaRP program and all the work done and the support from our county,” she explained.
The SHaRP program provides various forms of assistance, including security deposits, the first month’s rent, and up to a year of rent subsidies aimed at helping individuals and families secure stable housing.
During his weekly briefing with reporters, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich also acknowledged the importance of the SHaRP program. “By moving families into permanent housing faster, we reduce the trauma of homelessness for children, and we save taxpayers from the higher costs of the long-term emergency shelters we use,” he stated.
Elrich is advocating for the county council to maintain a one-time increase of $2 million in the program’s funding for the fiscal year 2027 budget. He emphasized the urgency of this funding by warning that without it, “our capacity to help new families will drop by 68 households; those families will end up right back in our shelters and overflow motels.”
While progress has been made, Hong pointed out that another pressing issue exists: the rise in the number of chronically homeless individuals. She highlighted that a significant factor contributing to this issue is the scarcity of housing options available for single adults.
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