Alliance supports Cumberland County Homeless Count

Alliance Behavioral Healthcare staff recently supported the Annual Point in Time Count (PIT) for individuals facing homelessness in Cumberland County.

The PIT documents year-over-year change in homelessness both regionally and nationally to identify trends and allocate resources. While Cumberland County has seen an overall reduction in homelessness due to the US Department of Veterans Affairs focus on assisting veterans facing homelessness, there was a 30 percent increase in non-veterans who are chronically homeless in the 2017 count.

“Chronically homeless” people are those who have lived 12 continuous months in a place not meant for habitation or have had four episodes of homelessness in three years, and have a disabling condition such a mental illness or a substance use disorder.

Alliance Community Education Specialist Laressa Witt said the issue warrants increased resources. “More funding is needed to address non-veteran homelessness in Cumberland County, prioritizing those who are chronically homeless,” she said.