CENTRAL OHIO -- With today’s sluggish economy and high unemployment rate, homelessness continues to be a problem in Central Ohio and across the nation.
Some 1.6 million Americans used a homeless shelter or transitional housing between Oct. 1, 2007, and Sept. 30, 2008, according to a new report by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The number of people who use a shelter or transitional housing didn’t change much. What did change, though, were the people who make up that number.
According to the report, the number of families utilizing those services was up nine percent from 473,000 to 517,000.
The Community Shelter Board said it served 786 families and nearly 1,700 children in 2008 at its three Central Ohio shelters.
The board served 117 families Sunday night alone.
While representatives with Lutheran Social Services said the numbers haven't increased locally like the report suggests, a Fairfield County program that helps homeless families find homes has seen more clients.
During a 24-hour count of Ohio’s homeless last year, the Coalition of Homelessness and Housing in Ohio found 39 percent were persons in families.
Dave Drumm, manager of Choice Food Pantry in Columbus, said he's seeing similar changes in the clients the pantry serves.
“We're seeing right now a 41 percent increase in our families over this time last year. And most of our families are families with children who have moved in together,” he said. “In June of last year, when I did my stats last year, I saw 129 to 139 families with children,” he said. “I’m seeing 700 children now.”
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