Local homeless numbers have skyrocketed in Clark County since March. The number of families seeking shelter has also dramatically increased throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The commission had previously discussed the homelessness issue in the county, but commissioners were unsure about what could be done to help.
City officials previously reported that they had seen an increase of 350% in the homeless rate in the county since March. For families, that number had increased by 750%.
In late November, Springfield leaders and local faith leaders called for more state assistance in getting immediate shelter for more than 200 people who are waiting on services.
In the meantime, those needing emergency shelter have mainly been housed in hotel and motel rooms in the area. However, those options have quickly become limited as more families and children and in need of housing as temperatures drop.
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