INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO) – The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority developed a new study that shows the state’s homeless population has declined, according to Inside Indiana Business.

The 2017 Balance of State Point-in-Time Homeless Count shows a 14% decrease in the overall homeless population, the number of chronically homeless individuals decreased 29% and homeless veterans fell 55%.

Chronically homeless families rose from seven to ten.

The Balance of State Point-in-Time Homeless Count takes all Indiana counties into account except for Marion and St. Joseph.

The state relates the decreasing population to boosting initiatives like Rapid Rehousing programs and the Housing First initiative.

The Point-in-Time Homeless Count is required for any county that receives support from the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development.

The count took place on January 25, 2017.

For more information, visit www.in.gov.