Homelessness on the Rise in Northwest Arkansas
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: February 1, 2013
A homeless census conducted once every 2 years shows homelessness is on the rise in Northwest Arkansas.
In order for counties to receive federal funding for social support, a "point-in-time" homeless census has to be conducted.
University of Arkansas sociology professor, Dr. Kevin Fitzpatrick has conducted the research in our area since 2007.
Grad students and volunteers surveyed homeless folks Thursday morning to get an idea of just how many there are in our area and what conditions they're in.
But the University's research goes beyond what is required by law to get funding.
One portion previously overlooked by the government are homeless children.
"These kids were representing half or of more than half of the total number of persons that were being counted in that 24-hour period," Dr. Fitzpatrick said.
When Fitzpatrick started the census in 2007, they had a little more than 1,100 homeless.
Now in 2013 initial findings show homeless children alone have reached that same number.
Meaning the number of homeless in our area has nearly doubled in 6 years.
Many of the children are not living in the streets necessarily, but couch surfing or living in homeless shelters.
In order for counties to receive federal funding for social support, a "point-in-time" homeless census has to be conducted.
University of Arkansas sociology professor, Dr. Kevin Fitzpatrick has conducted the research in our area since 2007.
Grad students and volunteers surveyed homeless folks Thursday morning to get an idea of just how many there are in our area and what conditions they're in.
But the University's research goes beyond what is required by law to get funding.
One portion previously overlooked by the government are homeless children.
"These kids were representing half or of more than half of the total number of persons that were being counted in that 24-hour period," Dr. Fitzpatrick said.
When Fitzpatrick started the census in 2007, they had a little more than 1,100 homeless.
Now in 2013 initial findings show homeless children alone have reached that same number.
Meaning the number of homeless in our area has nearly doubled in 6 years.
Many of the children are not living in the streets necessarily, but couch surfing or living in homeless shelters.
