Annual point-in-time count of homeless set for Columbus, Franklin County
Kathryn Carley, Producer
Monday, January 22, 2024
More than 150 volunteers will fan out across Columbus and Franklin County this week for the annual point-in-time count of the homeless.
Last year's count revealed more than 2,300 people experiencing homelessness, a 20% increase from the year prior and a record high.
Sara Loken, chief communication and brand officer for the Community Shelter Board, said no one should rest easy until everyone has a place to call home.
"This count is an opportunity to focus on people who lack the most basic of all human needs: a safe place to live and thrive," Loken explained.
Loken pointed out volunteers will offer shelter to anyone they encounter along with warm clothing, bus passes and hygiene products. The counts are submitted to government agencies to determine funding and strategies to reduce homelessness.
Local advocates said the population in Columbus is expanding but the number of affordable rental housing units has not kept pace. The Community Shelter Board reported just thirty available and affordable homes for every 100 residents seeking them.
Loken noted while there has been "movement" on affordable housing, there is not nearly enough for the area's lowest-income earners.
"We really need innovative solutions in housing for multiple sectors," Loken urged. "To make sure that we are creating diverse options in housing that are for all levels of income earners."
Loken emphasized an alarming 381% increase in homeless elderly adults in Columbus over the past decade and a more than 40% increase in unhoused families over the past two years. She added the numbers paint a dire picture of what this year's point-in-time count might show and affirms what advocates have experienced in trying to rehouse those who need help.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
More than 1 million people in North Carolina are diabetic and they have become increasingly worried about the national shortage of insulin. The …
Environment
Missouri homes and businesses have installed enough solar energy to power 68,000 homes each year. A new report released by the Solar Energy …
Social Issues
Workforce watchers project the country could face critical worker shortages in many of the skilled trades in coming years. The Nebraska Winnebago …
Social Issues
Surrounded by states banning nearly all abortions, its legalization in New Mexico has made the state a top place to travel for the procedure and a …
Social Issues
This week, Ohio approved adult-use marijuana sales as part of a 2023 ballot measure, with sales anticipated to start mid-June. Ohioans age 21 and …
Social Issues
The Nevada state primary is coming up June 11 and one voting-rights group wants to make sure all Nevadans have the information they need to make their…