VIGO Co., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Vigo County Commissioner Brendan Kearns and others spent Friday doing a count of the homeless population.
He said he noticed a specific trend.
“As I’ve been checking the camps, I noticed that they’re all gone. They’re out seeking cooling areas,” Kearns said.
According to Kearns, the heat caused a small challenge in doing the assessment. However, a solution was found.
“We have volunteers out at areas where we know they’re going to be at today,” he said.
One of those places was the Terre Haute Transit station.
The organization Manna from Seven provided food items and beverages for those who were seeking shelter and relief.
“It’s worked out really well because we’re inside, we have electricity, we have fans going and I think it’s really making a difference in the level of the heat,” said Susan Seitz.
Though Manna from Seven saw a good number of people show up Friday, they said the heat is still playing a role.
“I was expecting over a hundred and so far I think we’ve only had about sixty. My gut feeling is that it’s just too hot for people to be out walking around,” Seitz said.
Kearns said another place where people would be found Friday was the Vigo County Library.
“We’re always here open to the public for anyone who needs our services. Just as a kind of place to cool off or get a drink of water,” said Garrett Brown, communications manager of the Vigo County Library.
According to Brendan Kearns, the homeless assessment was a basic questionnaire to learn where the homeless sleep, whether it be outdoors or in a sheltered area.
Results of the homeless count are expected next week.
More information on Manna from Seven can be found on their
Facebook page.
