United Way is in the unique position to monitor trends, identify gaps and coordinate reponses within the human service system. Our information and referral line, 2-1-1 tracks needs and referrals each month, while we check in with our partner agencies and programs periodically to see how they are faring.

United Way Agency Survey

Our January 2010 survey of 89 local social service agencies revealed increasing needs and funding challenges as a result of the economy. A similar survey was conducted in 2009; where questions were the same, comparisons between the two years are provided.

Some highlights:

• 74% of surveyed agencies have seen more clients in the past year, compared to 63% a year ago.
• Over three-quarters (81%) of the agencies reported lost revenue from at least one source in 2009.
• 31% of the agencies surveyed received federal stimulus dollars.
• 40% of the agencies reported that their 2010 budgets are smaller than 2009; the average decrease was 11%.

See the full 2010 report.
See the 2010 executive summary.

See the full report from 2009.

United Way 2-1-1 Referrals—June 2010

According to data collected by United Way 2-1-1™, requests for basic needs like food, shelter and financial assistance continue to rise in our region, and account for nearly half of the total referrals.

2-1-1 Data (through May 2010)

There have been more than 70,000 referrals for basic needs to date in 2010. This is an 8.9 percent increase over the same period last year and 3.6 percent higher than the average of the previous years (2005-2009). The only year in which there were more referrals for basic needs is 2006, which saw nearly 80,000 referrals in the first five months of the year.

Source: United Way 2-1-1

After trending above average throughout 2009, 2-1-1 food shelf referrals have moderated. For the first five months of the year, food referrals are down 13 percent compared to the same period last year, and down 9.4 percent compared to the average number of referrals over the previous years (2005-2009).

Source: United Way 2-1-1

After a rather significant decline in 2009, housing referrals are rebounding in 2010. Looking just at the first five months of the year, housing referrals are up 25 percent compared to the same period last year.

Source: United Way 2-1-1

So far in 2010, United Way 2-1-1 has made more than 3,800 referrals for temporary financial assistance. This is a large increase over previous years. The number of referrals in 2010 is 71 percent higher than for the same period in 2009, and 66 percent higher than average.

Source: United Way 2-1-1

Resources

• Read the most recent State of the Economy Report from our research department: June 18, 2010 (PDF)
• View archived updates and other publications in our Library of Reports.

For more information about community trends, please contact Elizabeth A. Peterson, Ph.D., director of research and planning, by e-mail or phone: 612-340-7429.