Every year, local nonprofits and government organizations participate to conduct a sort of census of the homeless population across the United States.
Representatives of local nonprofits are expected to show up this weekend in areas throughout Mojave County where homeless residents are known to congregate. These residents are given the opportunity to complete a voluntary survey, including age, racial background, how long they have been homeless and how they became homeless. That data may be useful in future outreach efforts by county, state, and federal agencies.Or even future homeless laws in Arizona and across the United States
The Mojave County Housing Authority’s annual “point in time” homelessness figures are part of the annual efforts of the Arizona Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to measure homelessness in communities across the country.
Arizona will have over 13,550 homeless residents in 2022, of whom 1,723 were under the age of 18. However, social services groups have seen an uptick in homeless individuals who may be elderly in Mojave County. by these organizations in recent years as the “silver tsunami” of Mojave County.
According to Mike Smith, Director of Mojave County Community Services, the county’s continuing care is focused on the influx of homeless residents who have been identified as elderly or medically vulnerable. For the past five years, people over the age of 50 represent one of the fastest growing homeless demographics in the country, according to Arizona Housing Department records.
The Mojave County Housing Authority, under the jurisdiction of the county’s Department of Community Services, has reached out to agencies that may assist homeless residents and provide food and temporary shelter under the county’s “No Wrong Door” policy. For many years I have been leading efforts to bring these individuals together.
Catholic charities have long been involved in efforts to investigate homelessness in the county. Also, according to Camie Rasband, the Catholic charity’s homeless services director, volunteers are ready for action this weekend.
“Mohave brings together an entire community of service providers to cover specific areas of the county,” Rasband said this week.
But Mojave County is also the fifth largest county in the United States. 14,000 square miles is plenty of space to search for local homeless. But according to Rasband, nonprofits know very well where to look.
“Our team is familiar with the densely populated areas where unprotected individuals live most frequently.
The nonprofit resumed in-person homeless counts last year after those efforts were suspended across the United States in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. When the count resumes this weekend, Rasband says the information is as valuable as ever.
“This information is important for service providers, legislators and communities to understand the seriousness of the homeless crisis,” said Rathband.
The Catholic Charity’s Homeless Outreach Team will continue this year to help local homeless people access resources, supplies and shelter. Efforts by her and similar organizations could eventually help homeless communities on the road to permanent housing, according to Jean Christofferson, her director at Catholic Charity Communications.
“Rising rents and a shortage of available housing make it more difficult every day,” Christofferson said.
