Omaha seeing gradual increase in people without shelter

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - There are more than 1,400 people in need of shelter in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties, according to Omaha’s Homeless Shelter Coordinator.

Omaha is looking for long-term solutions to respond to the issue, but right now the city is seeing a gradual increase of those without shelter over the years.

Logan Fontenelle Park has a suburban feel, located in the Conestoga Place neighborhood in the shadow of Downtown and close to a homeless shelter.

Dawnielle Turner has lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years. She told 6 News the neighborhood has issues with the homeless.

“Random people, you know, walking through the yard, laying in the yards, trying to get in some of the homes, trashing the neighborhood or the park, sleeping in the park we find drug paraphernalia there,” Turner said.

Omaha Homeless Services Coordinator Tamara Dwyer presented a report to the Douglas County Commissioners.

Dwyer told commissioners the city is clearing out encampments, with tons of materials being cleaned up everywhere from out of the way places, to city streets.

They’re also hooking up homeless people with services that can help, but Dwyer said the major problem remains a lack of affordable housing.

“There’s 13 households competing for one unit, you know, the people who aren’t homeless are going to win those, or aren’t low income are going to win those ones, and without thinking long-term I can see it probably getting worse,” Dwyer said.

The Siena Francis House has built little homes to provide shelter for those living out on the streets, but officials say most stay in the homes, turnover is low.

More people are using shelters, and officials with the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless, or MACCH, told commissioners they’re starting to see older people looking for shelter.

“More senior population is a higher risk of homelessness due to inflationary costs, the rising cost of housing, and those costs that are outpacing their saved income,” Jason Feldhaus with MACCH said.

Dwyer said the report presented to commissioners is a six-month assessment that began in spring of this year. She said the information of this pilot program will help finalize the city’s strategy to deal with the issue of homelessness.

Dawnielle Turner hopes it all works out. She just wants to feel safe in her neighborhood.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t make it safe for a lot of people trying to play in the park, you know, the kids trying to play in the park, you know, we just want our neighborhood to be safe because we do take pride in our neighborhood,” Turner said.

Omaha’s Homeless Services Coordinator said the annual count shows the area serves about 6,000 homeless people in a year, about 60% are new to the situation of homelessness.

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