OBSERVER File Photo by Christopher Blakeslee
Several homeless individuals have set up makeshift camps outside of the now former Oriental Star Restaurant, 7 S. Main St., in late July.
A one-day countywide count of homeless shows the majority of homeless are in Jamestown — though in less number than when Jamestown declared a state of emergency in July.
The Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition hosted a community meeting Tuesday at the Northwest Ice Arena attended by around 100 community key-leaders, stakeholders, homeless-focused agencies and non-for-profits. The results of a point in time census taken last week showed 55 people living unsheltered and another 160 homeless households in appropriate shelters. There were an estimated 300 homeless when Mayor Kim Ecklund declared its state of emergency.
“On August 15, members of the Continuum of Care (CoC), volunteers and staff of the City of Jamestown, conducted a PIT count of homeless persons throughout Chautauqua County,” said Gina Ward, a member of COI and the CCHC. “The number of homeless on that day included 160 households who were housed in appropriate shelters and 55 individuals who were unsheltered living on the streets, in the woods, in parks, under bridges and or in abandoned buildings.”
Ward continued to explain that of those surveyed, 27 were unsheltered. She also reported that 44% of them were females and 56% were males. Additionally, of the surveyed, she reported that 8% are 50-plus; 11% are 25-29; 12% are 30-34; 12% are 45-50; 15% aged 35-39; 15% are 21-24 and 27% are aged 40-44. Statistically, 88% are white or caucasian, 8% are black or African American and 4% are Native American. Moreover, 29% are reported victims of domestic violence, with 71% reporting they are not. For those who identified as first time homeless, 46% reported that they are, with 54% reporting no. The PIT results revealed that of those unhoused or unsheltered, 52 individuals are in Jamestown, two people in Dunkirk and one person resides in Fredonia.
“We’ve got a lot of people who are homeless who’ve somehow made their way here,” said Mayor Kim Ecklund. “I’m not sure how they’ve ended up here, but we’re doing all we can to work with the county and everyone to help these people get the services and programs they need.”
Ward explained that the barriers faced by the homeless in acquiring stability and housing were vast.
“Of those surveyed, 70% report substance abuse, 31% identify alcohol use and 80% say mental health issues are stopping them from finding housing,” she said. “Twenty-nine percent say chronic health conditions have hindered them, 29% have developmental disabilities and 47% say they have physical disabilities.”
Ward also reported on the last palace of residency as reported by those surveyed during the PIT.
“Seventeen reported that their last place of permanent residence was Jamestown,” she said. “Others reported their last official residence being in Pennsylvania, 2; Olean, 3; Randolph, 1; Louisiana, 1; Falconer, 1; Silver Creek, 1 and Fredonia, 1.”
City Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Large, said he talked to at least one homeless person who said he was from California while wondering if there were veterans who were also homeless.
“Nothing will set me off more than someone who’s fought for our country and needs help, and isn’t getting the help they not only deserve, but earned as well,” Russell said. “I spoke to one homeless individual who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. So that leaves me to believe there’s more veterans out there.”
Ecklund declared a state of emergency for the city on July 25 to try and garner more support from state and federal officials. At the time of the emergency declaration, Ecklund said there were between 200 and 300 homeless in the city. City officials say the increase in homeless camping throughout the city is creating health and safety concerns that include human waste accumulating in public spaces, needles being disposed of carelessly and trash and debris strewn throughout homeless encampments. City officials said they have also seen increases in littering, with garbage and debris littering public spaces and attracting rodents, roaches, and other pests. Rodents, roaches, and pests are spreading from encampments to residential areas, they said, while unlawful fires in wooded areas pose a threat to neighborhoods and infrastructure. City officials said the improper disposal of needles significantly heightens the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. Needles are found in public spaces, parks, and residential areas, posing a serious hazard to residents, city workers, and visitors.
“We must act with compassion and provide services and programs for those not wanting to live like this,” Ecklund during Tuesday’s gathering. “However, I, and the City Council, have an obligation to protect the citizens of the city.”
According to chautauquaopportunities.com, the Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition is a subdivision of Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. This subdivision is a comprehensive network of diverse organizations that addresses the needs of our community and provides intervention and prevention services for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. COI is designated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the lead agency for the local Continuum of Care (CoC).
Current, active members, of the coalition include: The American Red Cross; Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services; Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene; City of Dunkirk, Connecting Communities in Action; Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES); Recovery Options Made Easy (ROME); New York State Department of Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS); Soldier On; United Christian Advocacy Network’s City Mission (UCAN); Veterans One Stop of Western New York; 211; Chautauqua Center; Catholic Charities; Chautauqua County Youth Bureau; City of Jamestown Department of Development; Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System; Community Helping Hands; Dunkirk Housing Authority; Evergreen Health Services; Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County; Southern Tier Environmental Living Inc.; The Resource Center; United Way of Chautauqua County; the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Jamestown; Jamestown Housing Authority and Jamestown Community College.
“Homelessness isn’t an issue of political spectrum, man, woman or child,” said Josiah Lamp, Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. executive director and the County Homeless Coalition. “We’re here to come together for the greater good, to find positive solutions to this issue.”