|
Study Finds $8.4 Million
Given to Panhandlers by Residents
Homeless
advocates released the results of a panhandling study that showed 42 percent of Clark County residents gave an estimated $8.4 million to panhandlers
last year.
The
study was commissioned by the Southern Nevada Regional
Planning Coalition (SNRPC) and brought before the
Committee on Homelessness. The key reason behind the
study was to determine the level of public giving to
panhandlers in order to evaluate potential ways to
redirect those funds to homeless services.
“The
study shows that Southern Nevadans
are interested in helping those in need,” said Shannon
West, SNRPC regional homeless services coordinator.
“We need to look toward creating systems that help
individuals and families end their own homelessness and
make it easy for Southern Nevadans
to contribute to that effort.”
The
2007 study surveyed 1,000 Clark County residents, 107 active panhandlers and 1,378 homeless
people. It measured the giving habits of residents to
panhandlers, along the relationship of panhandling to
homelessness and the spending habits of panhandlers.
Although tourists were not surveyed, it is estimated
that they give an additional $16 million a year to
panhandlers.
Younger
residents were more likely to donate to panhandlers than
their older counterparts. Of the residents who donated
last year, 58 percent said they were willing to
participate in a program that would redirect their
donations to local organizations that aid homeless and
those who panhandle. Of those who did not give
money, 63 percent showed a willingness to do the same.
However, when asked if they would stop donating to
panhandlers, 62 percent said they would not.
The
typical panhandler is a homeless, white male who is
likely disabled, panhandles 15 to17 days a month and
earns 55 percent below the poverty.
The
study found that the money collected from panhandlers
did not go in any direct way toward finding stable
housing. The largest portion went toward food, followed
by tobacco and alcohol.
For
additional information on the homeless population, click
here Help Hope
Home.
###
|
