Could Aiken County’s survey show increase in homeless community?
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - With the cold weather, leaders in Aiken County are doing their annual “point in time” count to get a better understanding of how many people are homeless in the county.
Last year, Aiken’s numbers showed a 600% increase in homelessness since 2019.
The Salvation Army of Aiken served more than 1,000 homeless or at-risk individuals.
We spoke with the Salvation Army of Aiken and the Aiken County Homeless Coalition about the factors behind the rising numbers and how you can help.
It’s a growing issue they hope gets some attention after the count.
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They’re providing bags that are full of supplies like food, clothes and hygiene products.
So far, they’ve made 200 bags and expect to need about 100 more.
Homelessness is on the rise in Aiken County.
Leaders say it’s a growing issue they hope the annual point in time count will shed light on.
“We’re finding that we’re getting more, and a lot of them are not from out of state. They are from Aiken County,” said Diane Saunders, vice chair for Aiken County Homeless Coalition.
IN AUGUSTA...
- A “point in time” county is also underway in Richmond County. They’re getting a head count of just how many people are experiencing homelessness in the area.
The annual survey is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Urban Development to better understand where communities stand on homelessness.
Leaders with the Aiken County Homeless Coalition say they hope the count reveals the real issues of the lack of resources for people in the area.
“We need more shelters. We need transitional housing. It is what we need. Some of these people, they are wanting jobs. They don’t want to be sleeping in the woods, but they just don’t have any help to get them there,” said Saunders.
The Salvation Army of Aiken says the need for better infrastructure for people displaced has never been more evident until now with freezing temperatures overnight.
Shelters aim to keep people out of cold
Overnight shelters work hard 365 days a year, and the winter weather certainly elevated that. They’re finding solutions in how they can help keep people off the streets.
Captain Micheal Good, commanding officer of the Salvation Army of Aiken, said: “We’ve added multiple emergency beds at our facility on Park Avenue. But even when that hit capacity, we then opened up our main office facility. We have definitely seen an upward trend in people, not only seeking assistance, but people also that are wanting a different way of life, so the Salvation Army is still here to help.”
Organizers with the PIT count say this is more than just a headcount. They hope the results will bring more federal funding to help address the needs of the community.
Saunders said: “That’ll show that we have a need here, and we need another shelter right now.”
They will have groups canvassing the county from now until Sunday with specialized groups going out to give people supplies and add to the count at night.
Organizers say they are in need of donations and are accepting them until Saturday at the Salvation Army of Aiken’s headquarters, located at 322 Gayle Avenue.
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