TRI-CITIES, Wash. – According to the Associated Press, 653,000 people were reportedly homeless across the country which is a 12% increase than years prior and the highest number ever reported since the Point-In-Time survey started back in 2007.
AP says that the 2023 PIT count showed that there were 70,650 more homeless people than in years past.
Benton County Program Specialist, Gloria Caldwell, explains that the PIT count is usually done at the beginning of each year and it’s essentially a snapshot of all the homeless people living on the streets.
Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission, Andrew Porter, says that in 2023 the shelter saw a 30% increase which is about 6,903 people utilizing their services compared to other years.
“Between our men’s and women’s shelters, we see about 140 people a day right now that are staying with us” says Andrew Porter, Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission.
Caldwell says that one of the most effective way to help those that are homeless in the area is to prevent them from getting to that point all together. Caldwell says that the Benton Franklin Community Action Committee has multiple different programs available to help people who are past due on some rent payments as well as transitional housing for those trying to get back on their feet from homelessness.
To apply for any of these services all you need is:
– An application packet
– Social security number for all members in the household
– Homeless status or eviction notice
– Picture ID for all adults in the household
– Birth certificates for children in the household
– Copy of current lease/rental agreement
– Ledger from landlord
– Verification of income from everyone in the household
Caldwell says that her and her team are working to get through as many applications as possible but they are about 3 to 4 weeks behind and are currently working on close to 200 applications.
If you want to pick up an application packet or want more information on the services that the Benton Franklin Community Action Committee has to offer the building is located at 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Suite 201
Kennewick, Washington. If you would like to set up an appointment you can do so by calling (509) 737-3946 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday – Friday.
