Homelessness in West Virginia has recently hit the news again after new data has emerged, but also with people voicing their concerns in Morgantown.
At a recent Morgantown city council meeting that took place on October 1st, residents and business owners spoke out about the rising rate of homeless people on High Street.
As you walk or drive down High Street, you’ll tend to notice a startling amount of homeless people. Sad as it is, they have been causing a lot of problems with loitering, and according to business owners, they have been causing a decrease in customers.
Business owners also voiced their concerns over a “campsite” that was put up by the homeless under Decker’s Creek bridge.
Morgantown city council says they don’t believe anything will be done this year, but are hoping to introduce a plan for the beginning of next year.
Though, throughout the state, the rate of homeless youth has been rising. This is a big concern because this is West Virginia youth we are talking about! I mean can you leaving school as a child, and having no place that is a secure home for you?
West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin has had a lot to say about homelessness in West Virginia. It’s important that this issue is taken as a big concern, and not just something the legislature of West Virginia pushes aside.
So where does the youth homeless rate stand in West Virginia currently? Well, according to data on the Charleston Gazette-Mail, youth homelessness in West Virginia comes in at 10,522. Though it is important to point out something called the McKinney-Vento.
Manchin took the issue to the highest educational court to ask for attention on this issue and federal aid.
The McKinney-Vento has helped many homeless youths.
The youth homeless number has to include children living in shelters, hotels/motels, cars/RVs, other family members that are not their parents.
The number of students classified as homeless in the 2014 and 2015 school year was 8,959, so we have seen an increase since then.
Though according to the West Virginia Department of Education, in the year 2015 and 2016 the number was 9,320 and then went to 9,025 the following year, but then rose back up.
Almost Heaven, Almost Hell 