Decatur homeless down, but racial disparity exists

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - The number of homeless people in Decatur has dropped for the third straight year, but racial disparities exist and chronic homelessness remains unchanged.

The Decatur Herald & Review reported Thursday (https://bitly.com/ ) that a survey covering January 2016 through January of this year shows that the number of black homeless people increased to 51 percent of the total from 43 percent.

The newspaper cites a Macon County survey showing about a 17 percent decrease from 130 homeless people compared with 157 the year before. However, more individuals lacked shelter, 16 compared with seven.

Survey coordinator Mary Garrison says there are 23 chronically homeless people, a number that's remains the same since last year.

The survey also shows that the number of homeless people with mental illness and physical disabilities was up.

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Information from: Herald & Review, http://www.herald-review.com