Goal: People in need will receive support that helps them live as independently as possible.
"This goal reflects the value Cass County residents place on independence and personal responsibility, but also recognizes that at times people may need to rely on others for assistance. Progress in providing help (participation in public programs) does not necessarily mean progress in independent living both must be evaluated to understand the bigger issue."[168]
Indicator 32: Food Insecurity
While starvation seldom occurs in this country, children and adults do go hungry and chronic mild undernutrician does occur when financial resources are low. The mental and physical changes that accompany inadequate food intakes can have harmful effects on learning, development, productivity, physical and psychological health and family life.[169]
Food Insecure Households
Percentage of households in the U.S. Census Community Population Survey reporting food insecurity
| Location |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
| North Dakota |
6.5% |
6.9% |
6.9% |
| United States |
11.1% |
14.6% |
13.5% |
| Percentage of households in the U.S. Census Community Population Survey reporting food insecurity |
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
- "Low food security means obtaining enough food to avoid hunger, using a variety of coping strategies, such as eating less varied diets, participating in Federal food assistance programs, or getting emergency food from community food pantries or emergency kitchens.
- Very low food security means one or more household members was reduced and their normal eating patterns were disrupted because of lack of money and other resources."
Data Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture[170] [171] [172] [173] [174] [175] [176] [177] [178]
Food Shelves - Individually Served
Duplicated number of individuals served by shelter and non-shelter food shelves in respective geographic areas.
| Location |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Individuals Served |
Change |
Individuals Served |
Change |
Individuals Served |
Change |
| Fargo |
41,653 |
+23% |
47,446 |
+12% |
51,213 |
+7.8% |
| *Metro |
66,322 |
+12% |
79,434 |
+17% |
90,299 |
+12.0% |
| *Metro: Fargo, ND Moorhead, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) |
| Data Source: Great Plains Food Bank [179] |
Indicator 33: Homelessness
"This indicator deals with one of the most basic human needs a safe, stable place to live." [180]
Homless Estimates - One Night
Estimates of homeless and precariously housed persons in the Fargo-Moorhead area on an October night in 2006 and 2009.
| Location |
Oct. 26, 2006 |
Oct. 22, 2009 |
| Individuals |
Increase |
Individuals |
Increase |
| Fargo |
610 |
48.4% |
1020 |
67.2% |
| **Metro |
821 |
36.4% |
1522 |
42.8% |
| Estimates of homeless and precariously housed persons in the Fargo-Moorhead area on an October night in 2006 and 2009. |
| *Includes persons in shelters or transitional housing programs, non-sheltered locations, and estimated doubled-up children, youth, and adults. Doubled-up means persons doubled-up with other individuals or families on the night of the survey. |
| **Metro: Fargo, ND Moorhead, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) |
| Data Source: Wilder Research Center[181] |
Fargo and Moorhead Homeless Shelter Useage
Unduplicated number of people provided shelter per year.
Unduplicated for each shelter, not for all shelters combined.
Number of people turned away due to shelter capacity per year.
This does not include people turned away for other reasons.
| Shelter |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Sheltered |
Turned Away |
Sheltered |
Turned Away |
Sheltered |
Turned Away |
Sheltered |
Turned Away |
Sheltered |
Turned Away |
| Dorothy Day House of Hospitality |
362 |
778 |
310 |
1,382 |
312 |
4,751 |
311 |
1,042 |
303 |
1,196 |
| Churches United for the Homeless |
907 |
329 |
770 |
1,335 |
839 |
3,306 |
726 |
4,268 |
756 |
- |
| New Life Center |
1,109 |
0 |
1,068 |
0 |
863 |
0 |
940 |
0 |
919 |
0 |
| *YWCA |
1,433 |
189 |
1,457 |
169 |
1,409 |
435 |
1,414 |
776 |
1,353 |
979 |
| Unduplicated number of people provided shelter per year.
Unduplicated for each shelter, not for all shelters combined.
Number of people turned away due to shelter capacity per year.
This does not include people turned away for other reasons. |
|
*The YWCA will never turn away a woman or a child if they are coming to the YWCA due to violence. Turn away numbers do not include children, only women.
|
|
Please note, that while 2009 numberered of sheltered is down, the average length of stay is up five days to 39. In addition, 2009 had most nights of shelter ever provided.
|
|
- : Unable to collect the number of people turned away.
|
| Data Sources: Fargo and Moorhead Homeless Shelters [182] [183] [184] [185] |
