From Harford County government:
On Thursday, January 24, 2013 Harford County local homeless service providers, community volunteers, local police agencies, and the Harford County Government joined together in a coordinated effort to conduct a one day count of homeless persons in Harford County.
During the annual point-in-time homeless count, donated hats, gloves, coats, blankets, personal care items, food, and bus vouchers were distributed to the homeless and the remaining donations were shared with community shelter providers, Anna’s House, Alliance, Inc., and Homecoming Project, Inc. The Harford County Department of Community Services along with many volunteers conducted the count, along with officer escorts from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Havre de Grace Police Department, the Aberdeen Police Department, and the Bel Air Police Department.
Results from the point-in-time count reveal a total count of 166 homeless persons. Breakdown of the numbers being served include 98 adults and 68 children sheltered and receiving comprehensive support services. Single adults found during our street outreach totaled eight. Harford County officials estimate a 3% margin of error due to the transient nature of homelessness.
The countywide event allows Harford County to secure the federal, state, and local funding necessary to serve the most vulnerable population and may assist in gaining expansion grants. The data collected during the annual homeless count also allows the community to strategically plan for the future needs of citizens.
Each year, the Harford County Department of Community Services works with community and faith-based agencies to help families avoid homelessness. When tough times happen to families, the department works with partners to make sure funding can be accessed at various locations throughout the County. Through partnerships, homeless individuals and families are able to develop life skills and employment opportunities, and achieve self-sufficiency by obtaining safe, affordable housing. The Department also helps divert individuals with mental health issues away from the criminal justice system and into treatment, which reduces recidivism and increases stability.
Harford County currently has thirteen emergency, transitional and permanent supportive shelters, offering a total of 304 beds for homeless adults, children and families. In fiscal year 2012, Harford County provided 997 people with 63,261 emergency shelter or transitional housing bed nights, for an average stay of 37nights per person. In 2012, the Harford County Department of Community Services provided more than a $1 million in homeless program funding, which assisted such organizations as Alliance, Inc., Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United, Inc. (FCCAU), Associated Catholic Charities Inc./Anna’s House, the Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC), Homecoming Project, Inc., and Harford Family House, Inc.
To learn more about homeless services in Harford County, visit http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/downloads.cfm?FormID=2091 or call the Department of Community Services at 410-638-3389.
So if there are 304 beds for homeless and transitory persons and there are 166 homeless people (thus and excess number of beds) then why do I know of two homeless camps in HarCo? Is it a mental health issue, transportation availability, lack of knowledge that help is available, stubbornness/pride of individuals needing help, or what? I’d like to hear from someone who has some expertise in the field of homelessness issues.
There are usually pretty strict rules when you have a shelter bed. No drugs, etc. People that are living outside either don’t like to live by other’s rules or prefer the discomfort of the cold over being told how to live. Either that or indeed as you mention there’s a mental health issue.
Many of the addicts/alcoholics are banned from the various shelters for being caught with contraband too many times. They’d rather chase the buzz or high than have a warm bed and a hot meal.
Gosh, you’re an expert on every topic posted on The Dagger.
Well, he’s right in this case.
Its amazing what you can learn if you pay attention to the world around you.
I don’t know the the specifics of how these agencies conducted the point in time count, but it is possible that those residing in “permanent supportive housing” are not actually counted as homeless, but could be counted in the number of beds, which could explain the gap between the two.
As for reasons that people aren’t sheltered, they can vary a lot. One of the most common is just plain refusal. Depending on the type of shelter there are varying rules that people don’t want to abide by and would rather shelter on their own. As you said, difficulty in reaching them is another major obstacle. Those in homeless camps, believe it or not, actually move around a lot, looking for work, pan handling, doing odd jobs, cash day work, going to soup kitchens, you name it, and crashing wherever they can find, so they might not always be there. What’s more, many of the chronic homeless have been to all the shelters before, or are just not in a state of mind to properly make the choice to go there on their own for a variety of reasons.
Also, there are usually many more “beds” available for women and children in the shelter systems, generally speaking, so many men have significantly fewer options.
thanks for the thoughtful reply noble. Much appreciated.
Thank you, Noble. That was a nice summary of our present situation. If anyone wants to get to know our homeless neighbors, FCCAU is always looking for volunteers to cook, host or just hang out and fellowship with their residents. Check with your church to see if they have a designated night or give the shelter a ring directly. 410-272-2229. If you don’t have time, they are always accepting donations of clothes in season (limited space to store), canned goods, paper products and other things we take for granted.
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