When thinking of the homeless population, many people may picture in their minds bristly men standing around a blazing fire, orange and red flames licking out of a trash barrel, or an older jaded woman pushing a shopping cart filled with aluminum cans and old ragged clothing. Perhaps, even images of families living in dank alleys in cardboard boxes come to mind. These images are often seen on television of homeless people living in large cities.
A family living in a tent on campgrounds, a couple living with their children out of the family car, or an elderly man living in an abandoned building without heat, electricity or running water are real images of a reportedly growing population of homeless individuals in northwest Missouri.
Although perhaps not been easily seen, there are homeless people living in rural Livingston County. According to Green Hills Community Action Agency in Trenton, Mo., this year’s count is eight.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, Green Hills Community Action Agency, along with a handful of volunteers, participated in the Point in Time count of homeless people in the nine-counties the organization incorporates which includes: Putnam, Sullivan, Linn, Mercer, Grundy, Livingston, Caldwell, Daviess and Harrison counties. During the count, 60 unsheltered homeless individuals were found, an astounding increase of 16 people from last year’s total.
Of those counted in Livingston County, some were victims of domestic violence, two mothers were counted having one child each, and one military veteran who was living in an old abandoned building.
“Most of the reasoning behind their being homeless is that they are under-employed or not employed which leads to eviction,” stated Mary Garcia, Housing Development Assistant for GHCAA in Trenton.
“We know there are more homeless people living in the region. This was the number of homeless confirmed on the day of the count,” said Garcia. “This number also doesn’t include people who are sleeping on friends’ couches or otherwise considered to be ‘sheltered’ homeless. Nor does it include homeless people who weren’t seen and those who didn’t want to be seen by the counters.” ..............
