PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A state organization has found that the number of homeless people in South Dakota has decreased more than 25 percent from last year.

The South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium performed a one-day survey in September to identify homeless families and individuals in the state. The survey found that 1,166 people are without a home. This is a 26 percent decline from last year when 1,452 identified as homeless. This year's number includes 336 children.

The survey found that the majority of the families and individuals without a home stay in emergency shelters, transitional housing or motels. The main reason for homelessness is unemployment and substance abuse issues.

The survey information will be used to create the state's 10-year plan to end homelessness, which is currently being created.

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