The rate of individual homelessness in the city of Boston has dropped by 30 percent, according to the most recent census data.

The number of homeless individuals dropped to 2,747 from 3,944 from 2005 to 2010, the data found. The drop is said to be caused by a shift from reliance upon emergency resources to address homelessness to an approach based on permanent supportive housing.

"We know a simple fact: keys cure homelessness," said Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) President and Executive Director Joe Finn. "Under Mayor Menino, Boston has been a national, innovative leader in developing programs that work to move homeless individuals directly from the streets to permanent housing."

The report also showed a 25 percent reduction in chronically homeless individuals, which are the most disabled and costly segment of the homeless population, according to a statement. The number of chronically homeless individuals – those with a disabling condition who have been homeless for a year or more, or four times in three years – dropped to 725 from 962. The decrease can be attributed to an increase in permanent supportive housing opportunities for these medically vulnerable, disabled individuals.

"The mayor has been a leader in ending homelessness and you can see the results of his work in these numbers," said Lyndia Downie, president and CEO of the Pine Street Inn. "It is gratifying to see this problem get better and we are indebted to the mayor for working so hard to make life better for homeless men and women."