By: Erin Smith
Bladen County Department of Social Services is preparing to attempt a count of Bladen County’s homeless population on Wednesday night. Miller said during the Healthy Bladen Collaborative meeting the census will be conducted with assistance from area law enforcement agencies.
Miller said that the homeless count can provide data that can be utilized when applying for certain grants.
She said that Bladen County will be doing what is called a street count, where they actually go out and travel the various streets in the county and attempt to locate those that are homeless. the results of the count will be reported through the regional housing office.
“It is difficult for Bladen County to do because we don’t have a lot of programs for the homeless,” said Miller.
She said neighboring counties, for example, have homeless shelters and soup kitchens that feed the homeless. Bladen County does not have these services.
Miller said they have been given locations to visit in their attempt to perform the homeless count.
She added the results of the count will be reported through the regional housing office.
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