KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo has gotten its latest count on the homeless population, and as expected, it’s way up.
The count took place last January.
Data administrator Carrie Bosch, of the Continuum of Care, says while it’s not an exact count, the local total was 791 living in shelters or on the streets.
She says that’s nearly a 20% increase in one year.
She says there were also big disparities between racial groups.
The “Point in Time” count is just that, a snapshot of the homeless on one given day. Director Patrese Griffin says it’s not complete because the federal definition of homeless is limited.
She says there was a significant drop in the number this year who were living without shelter, but that was only because the count took place during one of the coldest weeks all season, when about 140 homeless had been put up in hotel rooms as part of a weather emergency.
Comments