Midland homeless population has increased drastically

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Midland Homeless Coalition visited shelters, encampments, and the streets earlier this year to get a "snapshot" of the homeless situation in Midland, but they got more than they might have expected.

John-Mark Echols of The Field's Edge coordinated this year's effort through associated agencies and community groups. For 24 hours, these trained volunteers, spearheaded by Thriving United, counted and surveyed individuals staying in our community's emergency shelters, transitional housing, and unsheltered locations.

To encourage participation in the count, Breaking Bread Ministries and the Salvation Army collaborated with a multitude community partners to host resource events providing the homeless with meals, ID assistance, vaccines, bus passes, showers, and peer support.

The results indicate the minimum number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the community on any given night. To be counted, individuals must qualify under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, definition of homeless and be individually surveyed by a volunteer.

The HUD defines homeless as a person sleeping in a shelter, transitional housing, or in a place not meant for human habitation. This means the Point In Time (PIT) Count data will only represent a fraction of the homeless population in Midland.

According to a release from The Field's Edge, the number of homeless increased from 23...