The word "homeless" is usually accompanies by a stereotype, but it comes in many shapes and forms.
With the economy on shaky ground, many families and individuals are facing homelessness.
"The truth is, there are homeless people in our area, but with the weather being what it is around here, most homeless people are staying with family or friends," Ellie Fenton, Family Services Department manager for Central Counties Community Action, said. Central Counties covers Centre and Clearfield counties.
"There's a lot of 'couch surfing' going on out there," Billie Jo Weyant, executive director of CAPSEA Inc. of Elk and Cameron counties, said. "They have nowhere to live so they'll spend a couple months with this person, then move and spend a couple months with that person. It's entire families bouncing from place to place. People think because they don't see them sitting in boxes or sleeping under bridges in our community, that there are no homeless in the area."
"It's so much more difficult to find affordable housing," Susan McLaughlin, Crossroads director for Jefferson and Clarion counties, said. "How can a family making $8 an hour afford rent and utilities?"
As unemployment increases, so does the likelihood of homelessness, but that is not the only reason a family can end up on the street.
According to annual point in time survey of sheltered and unsheltered homeless conducted by the Clarion-Jefferson Shelter Task Force, the top 10 causes of homelessness for 2006 were, in order, eviction, domestic violence, unaffordability, family unwilling or unable to help, other unlisted reasons, bad credit, friends unwilling or unable to help, a family member incarcerated, bad references and family size.
A year later, the top 10 causes of homelessness included cost, domestic violence, family unwilling or unable to help, friends unwilling or unable to help, bad credit, other unlisted reasons, eviction, family member incarcerated, bad references and family size.
With so many people facing homelessness, organizations designed to help are feeling the pinch.
"Clearfield County has very little money," Fenton said. "Centre County has a lot more, but Clearfield's a lot worse off. We only have so much money to go around and we're trying to stretch that money to help more people."
She said Central Counties Community Action can provide services, such as rent assistance and can even match the amount received from the assistance office if a family or individual needs more.
"There are so many families doubled up (with extended family members or friends), but unfortunately that doesn't meet the state's definition of homeless so there's no increase in the funding," Fenton said.
She said in the first quarter of 2007, the agency had to deny 251 requests for rental assistance due to lack of money. In the first quarter of 2008, the agency had to deny 351 requests.
Even though many of the agencies can receive grant money to help, the government is also feeling the pinch of the troubled economy.
Weyant said her agency is part of a three-year project to help with housing assistance, but that period was over Sept. 30 and the program was not renewed.
"It's just horrible. We see an increase with need but a decrease in funds," she said. "It's a domino effect. We're always looking for grants but even when we're approved, it can take a year or a year and a half before we get any money."
Weyant said in 2007, about 237 people received rent, utility and homeless assistance. So far in 2008, about 388 people have received that assistance.
McLaughlin said her agency provides assistance for transitional housing, permanent housing and a men's shelter. She said the agency has two shelters and both are full.
"We've had to turn people away," she said. "We're just not equipped to deal with the number of people needing assistance."
McLaughlin said the holidays typically bring a lull in the amount of people seeking shelter. She said the agency mainly helps those who are homeless due to domestic violence and those victims are usually reluctant to leave home during the holidays. She estimates there has been an increase in people needing assistance of about 30 or 40 percent.
"Things are going to get tougher before they get better," she said. "We're seeing a lot of requests for other services as well as for housing assistance."
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Reported by Kimberly Finnigan, Tri-County Sunday. E-mail: kfinnigan@thecourierexpress.com