Homeless Population Decreases In North Alabama

The North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless has released the findings of their Point-In-time count of the area's homeless population.

At the end of January 2013, there were 584 homeless men, women, and children in North Alabama. It is 17 less than in 2012 and includes people living on the streets, in emergency shelters or in transitional housing.

The count found fewer men are homeless in 2012, but 19 more women have entered the homeless population. Homelessness among children decreased.

Lineise Arnold, Director of NACH, says the shift in the homeless demographic has shown where services are falling short.

"Some of the supportive housing programs that have developed have a certain criteria. Meaning, a person may have to be homeless as well as disabled in order to qualify for assistance," said Arnold. "So we may not have the assistance for the average person who may have just recently lost their job."

Women with sons over 13 years old are not allowed to stay in many shelters, leaving them with few options. It's a problem Arnold hopes NACH and their partners will address in the coming year.

The point-in-time count was conducted across Huntsville, Decatur, and Athens.