The number of unsheltered people in Polk County reached a record high this summer, continuing an upward trend local leaders say underscores the metro’s affordable housing crisis, according to a new report from local nonprofit Homeward.
The big picture: Outreach staff counted 210 unsheltered people in Polk County from July 30-31. That’s an 18% increase from last summer’s count of 177 people and a slight increase from 206 this past winter, Jan. 29-30.
- Overall, 768 people were experiencing homelessness in Polk County, including those staying in shelters. The previous summer, the total was 729.
- The overall number is slightly lower than this winter’s count of 779.
What they’re saying: “The concern is that we’re not seeing a decrease,” Angie Arthur, executive director of Homeward, tells Axios.
Zoom out: Polk County’s uptick follows a national trend that’s been driven recently by increases in rent prices and the end of COVID programs that helped with housing insecurity…