FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Area social service agencies are gearing up for tomorrow’s survey of unsheltered homeless people.

(Photo courtesy of Timothy Rudisille Photography.)

The count will be held beginning the evening of Wednesday, January 24.

Agencies are seeking information on homeless people, their situation, and offering solutions.

The count includes individuals living on the street, in vehicles, parks, tents, campers, in the woods, and “couch surfing.”

Pat Owoc, the Housing Unit Manager for Venango County’s Human Services Department, said the county’s homeless people don’t stand out like they do in places like Erie or Pittsburgh.

“Ours are more hidden,” Owoc said. “Fortunately, we don’t have a big problem, and we try to help them as they contact us. We typically have a lot of “couch surfers,” people who stay with friends and move around as the need to.”

“We do hear from people who are about to be evicted, and there are ways we can help them until they find a permanent solution,” Owoc said.

Owoc said most of the people they encounter are younger adults.

“We see younger people leaving home for whatever reason, they are bouncing around a lot, and they aren’t sure of where to go,” Owoc said.

“There is one shelter in Franklin, but it is for families and just big enough for about two or three,” Owoc said.

Owoc said the homeless are fairly resourceful in surviving, taking up residence in abandoned homes, and spending time in stores that are open 24 hours a day.

But, the problem with that is the lack of stability.

“It’s to get a job when you are moving around, have no way for employers to get ahold of you,” Owoc said.

Owoc said there is more of a community approach to helping the homeless in the county.

“Several of our churches are active in providing a helping hand to those who are homeless,” Owoc said. “In Oil City, there is a mental health drop-in center where people can get temporary help and hopefully move in the right direction.”

Owoc said when the count begins this week, they will survey traditional areas and check with the police departments and schools.

“This time of year, we just don’t see them much. In the summer, we get more reports of people camping out near the trails and along the rivers. But, this time of year, they aren’t very visible.”

For more information or to seek assistance, call 211, the county’s Protective Intake Crisis Unit at 814-432-9111 or go to www.vencohsnetwork.com.

Forest County will also participate in the count on Wednesday, according to Brandy Ambrose of the Warren-Forest County Housing Department.

“It’s been two years since we counted one person as homeless in 2016,” Ambrose said. “We do have some people come to our homeless shelters in Warren County from Forest.”

For more information, call the Housing Department at 814-726-2400.

(Featured photo by Timothy Rudisille Photography.)