The Homeless Prevention Board, chaired by Robin Finnacom, along with county and non-profit agencies set out to conduct the annual Point in Time Survey Wednesday, Jan. 20. This survey is intended to assess the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless in the county, and this year, coinciding with the 2010 Census, those numbers could mean critical funding for programs that help this growing portion of the population. The count also seeks to find those temporarily staying with family or friends, a trend that many involved say is more commonplace in the current economy.

In 2008, 1884 people were homeless in the county and a higher number is anticipated this year. The number of homeless children reported by the schools rose 39 percent. All agency leaders agreed that programs are overwhelmed, while the number of people seeking assistance for shelter, temporary cash assistance and food stamps continues to rise and the amount of funding declines.
 
Lanny Lancaster, Executive Director of Three Oaks Center in Lexington Park, said there is a misconception that the economy in SMC is great and suggests those unable to get the high-tech, defense sector jobs are struggling to get by and afford housing. Three Oaks works hand-in-hand with other agencies to give clients more than just a meal, a shower or a bed for one night, offering them long-term support to get their lives back on track and connecting them with treatment programs, counseling and assistance with employment, housing and healthcare.
 
For many, Lancaster said, “The cost of living is just too great and there is a lot of suffering.” He estimated the Center serves about 240 people each day and suggested the faith-based WARM nights program has helped deal with the number in need during the frigid winter months. Lancaster said he planned to join Finnacom and the SMC Sheriff’s Office in the field to count those outside of the shelters as well, targeting known spots where groups will seek shelter in wooded and abandoned areas.
 
Richard Bassford, an ex-resident of Three Oaks who is currently homeless and sheltered at a local, WARM nights-participating church, said he is willing to work, but struggles to get hired due to preconceived notions about the homeless. Bassford told TheBAYNET.com, “People need to work,” but said most jobs don’t pay enough to rent a place around here.
 
He said those in the homeless community have a variety of reasons for ending up that way and find it hard to recover. “You hear some sad stories,” he said, sharing tales of the abusive and unfortunate situations that leave people penniless and homeless. “Not all of us are bad people or unintelligent, some are just down on their luck, are outcast by their families or need help they don’t really know how to get.”
 
Bassford spends his days walking around Lexington Park and his nights in a shelter, but said he is thankful for the programs that have helped him and hopes his willingness to work can help him reach stable ground.
 
Director of Human Services Bennett Connelly presented a three-year plan to address homelessness to the Board of County Co

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