Midlands Area reports 1423 individuals homeless amid rising chronic homelessness rates

In a recent meeting of the Homeless Services Ad Hoc Committee in Columbia City, officials confronted the pressing issue of homelessness in the region, revealing a stark picture of the challenges ahead. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as committee members discussed the latest Point in Time (PIT) count, which reported 1,423 individuals experiencing homelessness across 13 counties. Among these, 334 were identified as chronically unsheltered, and 760 had disabling conditions.

Kamisha Hephard, a key speaker at the meeting, emphasized the limitations of these numbers, suggesting that they may only represent half of the actual homeless population. "I feel like 50% is not counted," she stated, pointing out that many individuals are hidden in less visible areas of the community, such as rural parts of Lexington and Gilbert. This sentiment was echoed by other committee members, who shared their experiences of engaging with homeless individuals and the difficulties in accurately accounting for their numbers.

The discussion highlighted a troubling trend: chronic homelessness has been steadily increasing, with a 7% rise noted from 2023 to 2024. Hephard noted that the pandemic has exacerbated this issue, with chronic homelessness jumping to 38% since 2020. The committee recognized the need for improved outreach and collaboration among local governments to enhance the accuracy of future counts and better address the needs of the homeless population.

As the meeting concluded, there was a collective commitment to strengthen efforts in the coming year. The committee plans to engage more actively with local governments and organizations like the Midlands Area Consortium on Homelessness (MOC) and United Way to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of homelessness in the region. The urgency of the situation was palpable, leaving attendees with a sense of responsibility to act and a determination to make a difference in the lives of those affected by homelessness.