Homelessness growing in Salisbury, a need for more community support
SALISBURY, Md. – Homelessness is on the rise in Salisbury and it’s a concern for shelter organizations as the weather gets cooler.
“The number of people are just coming in a number of women and children are coming in,” said Director Celeste Savage of HALO Ministries.
At HALO the Make A Room Campaign is in full swing to make sure everyone gets a bed to lay their head on at night. “With this, we’ll be able to put privacy rooms in then we’re able to put bunk beds in which is going to expand our space we’re looking at moving our offices around in this Area to accommodate more space,” said Savage.
With these donations, in HALO’s women’s shelter, they will be able to just about double the amount of people that get a bed. Donations made to the campaign will be matched by local organizations.
Increased homelessness is something Salisbury Housing First is seeing across the city. “There’s a lot of people on the streets right now people ticked in the woods in their tents, some people don’t have tents, they’re just sleeping under trees,” Eure explained.
Amber Eure says this is due to the lack of statewide assistance. “I think they’ve been increasing since COVID has decreased and people aren’t getting the COVID relief that they got. I think we’re going to see an increase in the homeless population since those benefits have cut off,” Eure explained.
Both organizations are collecting donations to better support those in need. “It’s going to increase but with that increase, we’re going to need blankets we’re definitely feeding a lot more people. Our shelves are starting to get a little bare,” said Savage. “As it’s getting colder, we’re going to be looking for sleeping bags, tents as well still everything that you would look for in the summer months but more blankets more sleeping bags to keep them warm,” Eure said.
To donate to the Make Room Campaign visit HALO’s website. HALO is also looking for volunteers. Housing First Salisbury says you can drop off your donations to 207 West Main Street in Salisbury.
