Homelessness report shows decrease in Maryland: Shore experts disagree

SALISBURY, Md. – On Tuesday The United State’s Department of Housing and Urban Development released their latest findings regarding homelessness across the country. One by one each state was analyzed. And for Maryland officials found that homelessness had decreased by 1.4 percent since last year. But local homeless shelters here on the shore say they’re not experiencing the same trend.

“I’d say it’s been a little bit up higher this year than last year,” said Christian Shelter Inc. assistant administrator James Barnes.

“The demand for our services has been consistent so we really haven’t’ seen a drop in the numbers,” said executive director for Diakonia Inc. Claudia Nagle.

And despite the decrease in homelessness overall, the annual report found that there was an increase of families with children who’ve experienced homelessness. And officials say unfortunately that couldn’t be more true.

“Previously it used to be mostly single folks and single guys. But now increasingly we’re seeing whole families and sometimes families with four, five, six, children who have no place to live,” Barnes said.

Officials say what they believe to be the number one issue as to why they aren’t seeing the decrease in homelessness, is the lack of affordable housing.

“The cost of housing for everybody has skyrocketed particularly for folks who are lower income,” Barnes said.

They also add that many people are having a hard time finding the resources they need.

“Being primarily a rural region, there’s challenges that face providers and most importantly the individuals who are homeless. Because of the distances between where they might be and where services are and transportation,” said Nagle.

And experts say the only way we can truly solve the homeless problem is to tackle the issue head on.

“I’d like to see more folks begin to look a little more carefully and closely at what’s happened with homelessness, who are the folks with homelessness, and why are they homeless, and what’s going on with them,” said Barnes.

to see the full 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report click here.