OKC Homeless Population Count Expected to Increase

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The annual count of the homeless population is underway and number this year is expected to increase.

City leaders are trying to get a better idea of the homeless population ahead of the winter storm. They took part in the annual count of the city's homeless Wednesday.

The number of homeless in Oklahoma City is expected to be higher this year. Not only do city leaders expect more homeless people this year, but they expect to see more families living on the streets. The increase in number is a reality those behind the survey say is from one of the worst recessions in our country's history.

At the Pennsylvania Avenue Nazarene Church in northwest Oklahoma City it was an all out effort to count the homeless.

"I think it's important to realize what's in our own backyard," volunteer Stephanie Easter said.

Easter is seeing firsthand the faces of the people who have been hit hardest by the recent recession.

"Uncle Sam don't want me to go back to work again," said John Piette. "I'm trying to be, he says 'no.'"

Piette lost his job several months ago and says he's been unable to get another job. It's a story the volunteers have heard again and again when surveying the homeless. It's that reason those with the city expect the homeless population to be up and why they say efforts to help them need to be ramped up.

"I think there are a lot of things that could be done that are not yet being done," City Planner Jane Ferrell said.

Ferrell helped organize the city's annual count of the homeless.

"I think it's a reflection on society in general so to whether you allow people to be and remain to be homeless or you attempt to find housing for all," Ferrell said.

Ferrell and the many volunteers say finding housing for the homeless is possible, but first they say it's important the community understand just how big of a problem there is.

"When you have $200, $300, $400, living on the street with no place to go, we as a society, where do we go next?" Easter said.

The city will use the information obtained in the surveys to get a better understanding of the programs and services needed for the homeless.