Homeless count rises in county
CANTON — Not only are more people jobless in St. Lawrence County, the downturned economy is leaving a rising number of people homeless, according to county officials.
The number of residents who received emergency housing through the county increased 51 percent from 2007 to 2008, according to county Social Services Commissioner Christopher R. Rediehs.
"A lot of people were living close to the edge already and then the economic situation really started to unravel," Mr. Rediehs said. "We're on track for exceeding what we had last year. We try not to turn anyone away."
The county placed 214 family units in emergency housing last year, compared with 142 in 2007 and 131 in 2006, according to county data.
So far this year, from January through August, 187 people received help, Mr. Rediehs said. More are likely to seek help with housing in the next few months as the weather turns colder, he said.
St. Lawrence County traditionally has ranked among the poorest in the state, with its financial situation worsening further as the national economy tanked. In August, the county's unemployment rate was 9.7 percent, compared with 6.9 percent a year ago, according to state Labor Department statistics.
Locally, hundreds of high-paying jobs disappeared with this year's closing of the General Motors auto plant in Massena.
Jeffrey A. Reifensnyder, executive director of the Massena Independent Living Center, said that during the past 18 months, he's observed more homeless people turning to his agency than in the past.
"Some of the people are transients who show up here needing help," Mr. Reifensnyder said. "I never knew the homeless issue was as big in this area. I'm not just talking about Massena; I'm talking about the county as a whole."
Most of the time, it's individuals, rather than couples with children, who are looking for help, Mr. Rediehs said.
Unlike some other counties in New York state, St. Lawrence County does not operate a separate shelter for homeless residents. Instead, Social Services can place people in a rental home or pay for them to stay at a hotel on a temporary basis.
"We attempt to find cost-effective ways to house people," Mr. Rediehs said. "Sometimes it's a $60-a-night hotel. We try to get the best rates possible and we very much encourage people to find permanent rather than temporary housing."
Female victims of domestic violence and their children may be placed at Renewal House, Canton.
Mr. Rediehs said homeless people may not always be noticed in rural areas compared with cities, where they're seen on streets or in public places like subway and train stations.
"Even in Syracuse you see people pushing shopping carts with their belongings and you assume they might be homeless," Mr. Rediehs said. "You don't see that in the north country."
Instead, he said, people in this region are more likely to sleep in their vehicles or a camper.
They also may stay with family members or friends, but those situations are often stressful and temporary, Mr. Rediehs said.
"I think some people are living on couches upon the charity of their friends and family, but there are some real bad situations where homelessness might be preferred," he said. "I've seen some pretty poverty-stricken places."
Statewide, the unemployment rate climbed to 8.8 percent in August, with 874,300 New Yorkers unemployed, its highest level since April 1983, the state reported.
