Homelessness On The Rise?
Brent Finnegan -- January 29th, 2010
Across the nation, localities are taking count of their homeless populations, and some officials are finding major increases in the number of people without homes.
HRHA is currently conducting a similar study in Harrisonburg, and they expect the numbers to be up here also. WHSV reports:
Numbers from the survey won’t be available for more than a week, but Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Wong expects to see an increase in homelessness.
“The anecdotal information we have received, we anticipate an increase in the number of homeless individuals,” says Wong. “In the past several weeks, all the homeless shelters have been running at 100 percent or greater. I would be surprised if our numbers aren’t greater than the last several years.”
The numbers will be used to obtain state aid, but Wong said he can’t guarantee more state money even if homelessness increased because of the poor economy and budget cuts.
It would be interesting to see a graph comparing local homelessness and foreclosures once the numbers are final.
Tags: Harrisonburg, homeless
Any idea how the local study is being conducted?
How does one count the homeless?
(I haven’t asked HRHA)
I’m not sure, Scott. I’m sure it’s difficult to do.
I can email Michael about it.