Number of homeless may be underestimated

Living in unknown locations around Thousand Oaks is an invisible population that needs to be counted. And volunteers for Homeless Count 2007 will be asked to do just that on Jan. 23.

No one should feel threatened if, on that day, a stranger walks up and asks, "Are you homeless?"

Those reading a book at a public library or strolling through a mall will probably be questioned. Certain parks and parking lots--considered to be common gathering places for Thousand Oaks' homeless population--will also be searched.

About 75 homeless people will be easy to account for because they utilize some of the services offered to them, such as shelters at various churches throughout the community, said Chris Poynter, program and development director of Lutheran Social Services.

"There are about 100 hidden we will have to look for in places like parking lots and in the bushes," Poynter said. "It will be a challenge because they don't want to be noticed."

They need to be counted so the organizations that help them, such as Many Mansions, Lutheran Social Services and the Area Housing Authority, can move forward with their 10year plan to eliminate homelessness, said Rick Schroeder, Many Mansions executive director.

The amount of federal funding depends upon needs, so accuracy is of paramount importance.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided a definition of homelessness. The person must live in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks or abandoned buildings. If they're in an emergency shelter or live in transitional housing, a hospital or other institution for up to 30 days, they are considered to be homeless. People who've been discharged from an institution and have no resources to obtain housing are also considered to be homeless.

Those counted will be identified only by initials, not their full names, Schroeder said.

A meeting was held last week at the Area Housing Authority in Newbury Park to begin figuring out places where volunteers might find the hidden homeless.

There are 15 to 18 single adults living outdoors in encampments at three known sites in Thousand Oaks, Poynter said.

Other possibilities where the homeless might be found were suggested during the meeting. Some gather at the Taco Bell parking lot on Rancho Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Others have been seen in the Ralphs and Vons parking lots at Janss and Moorpark roads. The parking lot outside what used to be Kmart on Hampshire Road and the Salvation Army store in Newbury Park are also places volunteers will go when they're counting.

It's going to take a lot of volunteers to scour the community.

Still, there will be those invisible souls who might be living in a car in someone's driveway or sleeping behind buildings where they work. There are as many places to hide as there are reasons for homelessness.

Many of those who are homeless are employed but don't have $1,200 a month for rent or other expenses, Poynter said.

Anyone with ideas on how homeless people can be counted and/or interested in volunteering, can contact Poynter at (805) 4976207 or cpoynter@lsssc.org.

For more information, go to www.vchhc.org.