九色视频 鈥 A point-in-time count conducted in January showed a 50% rise in people experiencing homelessness on the Mid-Shore since last year, according to results released earlier this month.
The count is an annual survey that measures homelessness across the U.S. This year, Mid Shore Behavioral Health鈥檚 Continuum of Care team contributed by gathering data from individuals in encampments, shelters and temporary housing in Talbot, Kent, Dorchester, Caroline and Queen Anne鈥檚 counties.
In addition to the 50% rise, the Mid-Shore saw a 400% rise in total unsheltered homelessness since 2024, according to the results of the count. Unsheltered homelessness involves a person living in a place not meant for habitation.
But Ashley Kessinger, continuum of care program manager, says these numbers might not accurately represent changes in homelessness on the Mid-Shore.
The number may be so high, she said, because of the difficulty of reaching people in the past due to the Shore鈥檚 rural nature.
鈥淭hat 400% increase, I think it has to do with the efforts that went into reaching more people (this year),鈥 Kessinger said. 鈥淲e live in a rural community, and it鈥檚 different from the cities, where a lot of times people experiencing homelessness may be right on the sidewalk and in front of your stores.鈥
According to the count, The total number of people experiencing homelessness on the Mid-Shore sits at 195, with 179 people in sheltered locations and 16 in unsheltered locations.
According to Jimmy Morris, continuum of care housing outreach specialist at Mid-Shore Behavioral Health, the count is important due to the rise of unsheltered individuals on the Shore.
鈥淭here鈥檚 people that lost their homes because of medical conditions or job layoff, drug, alcohol, addiction or mental health,鈥 Morris said to the Star Democrat in January. 鈥淲e are overwhelmed in these five counties.鈥
While many issues can cause homelessness, Kessinger cites lack of affordable housing as one of the main factors.
鈥淗ousing is definitely a huge barrier that we have seen,鈥 Kessinger said. 鈥淲e have funding that can place people in housing like security deposits, first month鈥檚 rent and depending on the program, they can help with some additional months.
鈥淏ut it has been really hard to find housing that can fit within the HUD fair market rent that we have to abide by.鈥
Another factor Kessinger cites is transportation in Mid-Shore communities.
鈥淭ransportation may not be something that people think about right off the bat, but it鈥檚 a huge need for the people that we work with,鈥 Kessinger said. 鈥淭his rural community, it makes it very hard to go from one county to another. It鈥檚 hard because it鈥檚 so spread out, you need a vehicle, and vehicles are expensive.鈥
Kessigner hopes that Continuum of Care can help improve homelessness in the area. Aid from the Department of Housing and Community Development with affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness will help as well, she said.
鈥淪o I know the DHCD has a really great initiative with creating more permanent housing,鈥 Kessinger said. 鈥淲e have a permanent housing program, and they are basically expanding that in the state of Maryland.
鈥淚 know the governor鈥檚 had a hand in that as well. I think that is a really great is a step in the right direction as far as helping to resolve a lot of the homelessness that we see on the shore. I think the emergency shelters are vital. They鈥檙e very important, but what everyone needs is a safe home that they can actually afford.鈥
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