1,064 homeless people counted in annual survey : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

GREENSBORO — On any given night, 1,064 people find themselves without permanent shelter in Guilford County, new data show.

The annual point-in-time count of the homeless Jan. 27 found at least that many people were living on the street, in shelters or in transitional housing, according to a report released Monday by Partners Ending Homelessness.

The count is a snapshot of homelessness in the county, and officials caution it is not a complete picture. People often decline to take the voluntary survey, avoid survey takers or just can’t be found during the 24-hour period when it takes place, said Jehan Benton-Clark, director of Partners Ending Homelessness.

In 2009, the point-in-time count found 1,052 people homelessness in Guilford County.

That slight increase is deceiving, Benton-Clark said.

This year’s count does not show how rehousing programs reduced homelessness because of the continued influx of people made homeless by the poor economy, she said.

For example, 100 people considered “chronically homeless” have been placed in housing, reducing the population from 212 two years ago to 125 this year.

The count also does not reflect those on the edge of homelessness.

“What we were seeing is lots of people doubling and tripling up” in housing, Benton-Clark said.

Families living together like that don’t count as “homeless” under the federal definition, even though such housing is often tenuous, she said.

Officials looked at ways to track those who are “precariously housed” or “imminently homeless” as part of the count this year but did not include it in the report. It’s a difficult number to track, Benton-Clark said. She hopes that information will be taken next year to create a baseline for future counts.

This year’s count of the homeless also showed:

* A 55 percent increase in the number of military veterans.

* A 31 percent increase in the number of domestic violence victims.

* An 8 percent increase in the number of children.

In this year’s report, Benton-Clark included data from two other sources to provide a better picture of homelessness in Guilford County.

Guilford County Schools tracks homelessness for its students, based on the U.S. Department of Education’s definition. The schools found 1,585 students in the 2008-09 school year who were sharing housing with someone else due to the loss of their own housing, economic hardship or a similar reason, or who were living in temporary places such as campgrounds or motels.

The district also did its own point-in-time count to coincide with the county’s. School officials found that 1,230 students were homeless on Jan. 27, based on that definition.

The state’s Homeless Management Information System provides another part of the picture. The system tracks unduplicated counts of people seeking services for the homeless. That system found more than 4,770 people and families in Guilford County experienced homelessness at some point in 2009.

Not all service providers belong to the system, Benton-Clark said. The hope is to get every group that provides services signed up to get more accurate data.

“Every year we’ve been getting a little bit better at counting,” she said. “It’s never going to be a complete picture. But I’d like for it to be as accurate as possible.”

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com

Voice of Reason

March 22, 2010 - 2:38 pm EDT

What was the % increase in alcoholics and drug abusers? Funny thing about these stats, seems like most every homeless person I meet, and I'd wager I meet more than most of you, are "victims" of something. Nobody ever got there on their own- it was always someone else's fault.

stephanie.sayer

March 22, 2010 - 4:20 pm EDT

The concept of the "Noble Homeless Man" is a myth, nothing more or less. This myth is perptuated by the ignorant and mentaly unstable. These homeless people are in every case homeless for a reason. Most are lazy, and refuse to work if they actually do get offered a job.

You know what's disgusting? Half the "homeless" people who beg actually have homes. You know what's even worse? These people consider their begging to be work, and think that they are entitled to your money. Also, rest assured that they aren't grateful for your money. Gone are the days of .25 cents, .50 cents, or $1 being enough to make a homeless person happy, these days they'll probably not say thanks or immediately ask for more. Don't even bother giving them food, they'll throw it away as soon as nobody is looking.

People who perptuated the myth of the "noble homeless" would believe that all of these people are homeless due to racism, and mental health issues. The real truth is that they're ALL drug addicts. All of them. These people are homeless due to drug addiction. Additionally, almost all of them have a myriad of criminal charges, these aren't good people.

What's worse is that it doesn't get better. Agencies have gone to unreal lengths to help homeless individuals, and in the end they always seem to mess things up for themselves.

I guess my point is to not believe the hype. We will NEVER end chronic homelessness in Guilford County, and the chronically homeless population is mostly not deserving of your pity.

Culbertson-Faegre

March 22, 2010 - 5:47 pm EDT

Stephanie,

When you use phrases like "ALL" and throw around statistics you cannot prove (like "half the homeless people who beg actually have homes") you undermine any credibility you initially had.

If you wanted to argue that many homeless people are battling addiction, you could back that statement up. But instead you go for outrageous claims that show you have very little experience dealing with the larger homeless population.

Hopefully most people reading these comments can see through your rhetoric, and recognize that there are real people struggling that need the help of the agencies and individuals around them.

-Amber

rclinton5280

March 22, 2010 - 7:59 pm EDT

Stephanie,
I have listened to a few of those in this community such as yourself bash the homeless. It is a lack of character that you show in yourself, by insulting someone in such a position. Not all of these people are "bad", and you are doing a dis service to your community for saying that they are. There are bad apples in every bunch, I am sure your mother told you that. It is true in all things. However, there are a great number of Americans who will sleep without a home tonight, and very few of them are happy about it. Most of them were real life Cinderellas, except life does not go along with fairy tale endings. They grew up in negligent environments, learned to hate, and to not trust themselves before they ever knew who they were. Most are severely insecure, and some are to the point of being mentally unstable. You want to know what is sick? Our mainstream society does not care about those handicaps, and the general working public uses it as another way to assassinate another person's character. I am appalled and saddened that ignorance rules the day, at least in your world.
On a more personal note, my grandfather was homeless. He was a gentle man, with a heart as big as the ocean. He struggled to provide for a family for many years, until his marriage fell apart. In the wake of it all, the current became too strong, and he became homeless. It is not always laziness that casts people to the street. Eventually he got his life together, but not before many self righteous character assassins took their cheap shots at him.
Sometimes, the world is full of pain so severe as to break a persons spirit. There are so many among us that are damaged, and so few with the desire to help them mend. Most of those who make up this country would rather stuff our face, watch TV, gamble, etc. than help our fallen brothers and sisters. And then, those same people (such as yourself) sit around and speak negatively about such a person. Why don't you kick the next cripple you see, too? Thank God for the organizations that help the homeless stabilize their lives. And on your day of judgment, I hope you have to answer for publicly degrading people in need of help.
Finally, I 'd like to approach the subject of substance abuse. There are a lot of drug users in the homeless community, which is certainly not a good thing. Did you ever stop to ask yourself why? From the opinion you expressed, I would guess not. It is difficult to explain to a person who does not know the feeling of hopelessness. When you are hopeless, you will do almost anything not to feel that way anymore. Most of these people feel this way. They do not have access to a doctor to help them learn to handle it, so they maintain by any means possible. Drugs and alcohol are readily available, and they serve the purpose. These people are only trying to escape a reality that is too painful to face. In the right set of circumstances, 90% of them would flourish into contributing members of society. And to top it off, once you get into that position, there are a world full of people like you whose preconceived notions keep the deck stacked against them. You offered them a sandwich, I would have scoffed, too. Eating will not change the pain inside. Try offering one of them a little hope, and you will be amazed by how much a person can change.
Besides, keep talking, and maybe you will be the victim one day. The more people who have to chose between taking from others and going hungry, the more they will take from others. As a human, our instincts drive us to attain the basics of life. If a man will kill an animal to eat, why wouldn't he take your things to serve the same purpose? He would, and it could happen to you. After it has happened, then you can tell me about how "you" chose to be the victim. Please let me know how that shoe fits when you are wearing it.

onetrickydude

March 22, 2010 - 5:34 pm EDT

Amazing how ignorant some posters are. Hope you never lose it all. It can happen. Pigs.

March 22, 2010 - 5:41 pm EDT

What's worse are doctors and lawyers that live of the suffering of others. The poster above it's people like you that make this world all about them. Do you honestly think you're worth what you get paid? Do you honestly believe that some garbage jobs like Burger King Hardees McDonalds tht you can live off that? 7, 8, hour is not worth the time and trouble because there is always someone like the two posters above waiting to take what little you get. Hate to break it to you but the rich are alcoholics and drug addicts as well. It's just that the rich get to go to really nice clinics to clean their junkie azzes up. Funny how anyone thats doing well thinks its all hard work. My rear, you'll never hear these clowns mention that hey are fortunate to have a job at all. You're all disposable. Your money doesn't make you in any way a better person usually it makes you worse like those two posters above. Pigs.

kikablue

March 22, 2010 - 7:15 pm EDT

This is for stephanie and the dim wit that used Voice of Reason, Yes some are drug users and drunks, a lot are homeless do to losing their jobs and homes as well. There are little children homeless as well, so you are saying they are drunks and drug users also. There are also a lot of ex- soldiers homeless because of what they faught for and lost, while fighting for your right to be as disgusting as you are. Some of them saw so much death and blood shed and living in the woods and trenches, it's easier for them not to live around people like the two of you. Think before you run your mouths again about something you know nothing about. Every American Citizen believe it or not this includes YOU as well are one pay check from being homeless. It is disgusting people like you that make me sick, and you both probably say you are Christians as well. You both would say the same slanderious things if you were to meet Jesus Christ on the street. Be very carefull of your words, and stones that you throw . They do have a way of coming back to the sender. Remember this, it's for you as well as me. BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE GO I.

March 23, 2010 - 4:15 am EDT

Again, I deal with these people daily. They are NOT victims, they are lazy. I have zero sympathy for people who can afford alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, but not rent. Zero. No I'm not a Christian, but I haven't screwed over my own family to the point they won't help me anymore, which is what most of these fine citizens you elevate have done. I am a veteran, however. You and that trickydude assume much. Go spend any amount of time with these people, and you'll see the truth. There is a vast difference between us- I know how to manage my money, don't buy frivolous items or waste my money on things I don't need. I've never felt drugs was the answer, regardless how bad things got. You who say its OK to bum out because times are tough are so ignorant it kills me. Being sad is no excuse for substance abuse- where do you come up with that crap. And for trickydude- the reason I have a job is because I didn't mess up my life with drugs and alcohol in the first place. Life is all about decisions. Some of us make good ones and some don't. Period.

begone

March 22, 2010 - 9:33 pm EDT

I live in Star nc. There is nobody begging for money,food,or homeless on the streets. The churches and the county takes care of its people. Gullford county needs to do the same. It is better to give money to someone that may buy a bottle of wine or drugs with the money than to let a needed person go without. don,t let his sin be yours.

Theo

March 22, 2010 - 9:36 pm EDT

Now they will have "free" health insurance!!!

March 22, 2010 - 10:35 pm EDT

I was working in Greenboro a few years back and went to church,s chicken on wenover st. or something like that a man came up to me and said he had not eated in two days, down on his luck, bunned out leg, Could he get $5.00 to get something to eat. I gave it to him. He went in the front door of church,s chickin and out the side door.I am tight with my money and work very hard for it. But i gave for the right reasons and do not regret it today. You can,t go to church on sunday and be a sinner all week. I don,t give enough and i know that but i try.

chieftp

March 23, 2010 - 2:45 pm EDT

"homeless people?" whatever happened to bums, vagrants, beggars, hobos?

I was at a truck stop in Charlotte a couple years ago. yet another black person came up to me begging, not sure if he was "homeless," but he was a diabetic and needed something to eat (usually, they want gas money.) so I said "sure, follow me to my truck....I have some crackers, beenie weanies..." he didn't even respond, he just walked away to harass the next person when he realized I wasn't going to give him money. I guess what I eat as a truck driver, working 15 hours a day wasn't good enough for this worthless nagger.

sladejone11

March 23, 2010 - 8:41 pm EDT

I haven't had a single panhandler take me up on a food offer. Makes me so angry, that they have the nerve to talk about being "hungry", and then TURN ME DOWN when i offer food. Jackasses obviously don't know what hunger is. I have a policy of ignoring panhandlers now, I won't say a damn word and ball up my fists just in case they want to get frisky with me.

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