Philly evaluates unsheltered population as bitter cold continues

If you think it’s cold outside this week, try living outside. 

For many unsheltered Philadelphians this is the cold harsh reality of everyday life.

What we know:

On one of the coldest nights of the year, Philadelphia is conducting its annual count of the city’s homeless population.

With wind chills in the teens, about 400 volunteers gathered at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Wednesday night for the Department of Homeless Services "Point in Time" count of the city’s unhoused.

Those volunteers fanned out across every corner of Philadelphia for a real time population count of those living in shelters and out on the street.

"These cold winds are so cold and when the wind picks up it splits your skin on your knuckles and everything" said Eric Agront. Agront was waiting to get inside  the Hub of Hope 24 hour shelter in the concourse of Dilworth Plaza in Center City.  He has been navigating life on the street since losing his job as a forklift operator after the COVID pandemic hit. He comes to the shelter on a regular basis, but especially in the extreme cold. 

Hub of Hope is one of 19 warming centers open around the city during a Code Blue.

"This place is very important. They help you with everything from your essentials to a roof over your head" said Agront.

The goal of the "Point in Time" count is to get a better understanding of how to help those without a roof over their head.

The annual audit of the homeless usually takes place in January or February and is conducted in cities across the country.  

The data helps local, state and federal housing officials identify trends and gaps of services within the homeless population.

By the numbers:

In 2024, the city counted 4,215 people in various city shelters and transitional housing. Another 976 were classified as "unsheltered". That was a 38% increase from 2023.

Data shows by far the neighborhoods with the largest homeless populations are Center City and Kensington.

According to the city, its five-year analysis from 2020 to 2024 showed a 16% increase in the total number of unsheltered individuals on the streets of Philadelphia.

Center City witnessed a notable 23% increase from the previous year’s count, while areas outside of Center City experienced an even steeper increase of 44% from last year.

What they're saying:

"It lets us know what is happening in Philadelphia. Who is experiencing homelessness  and they’re demographic, their age, their gender, whether or not they are single or with families and it helps us prepare for resources as well within the city" said Cheryl Hill, Executive Director Philadelphia Department of Homeless Services.

Volunteers will be asked to collect as much data on the individuals as possible and ask if they need assistance. 

"They are also going to check on people to make sure they are ok. And if they want to come in we are going to get a call to transport them to somewhere safe and warm" said Hall.

What’s Next:

This year’s "Point in Time" numbers should be available in the fall after a report is submitted to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Source: The information in this story is from thr city of Philadelphia. 

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