COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Community Shelter Board in Franklin County held its annual point-in-time count to assess the needs of homeless in central Ohio. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Community Shelter Board held its annual homeless count to assess the needs of homeless in Franklin County

  • Last year’s count revealed there were more than 2,300 people experiencing homelessness in Franklin County alone, which is a jump of 22% from the year before

  • The point-in-time count was held at The Open Shelter on Parsons avenue, a day shelter advocacy center that’s open five days a week

“It is important that we stop with everyone else and the rest of the country to take a moment to really assess, organize where our homeless, where are unsheltered homeless,” said Shannon Isom, the President and CEO of the Community Shelter Board.  

Isom helps run the count, which serves as a chance for his and other organizations to re-evaluate how they should help those experiencing homelessness.

“This is so important that we’re able to come together and understand that people experiencing homelessness are just like you and me,” said Sarah Hatchard, the director of guest services at The Open Shelter. “Many of us are one paycheck away from being in the very same situation as the guys that we serve.”

The point-in-time count was held at The Open Shelter on Parsons avenue. It’s a day shelter advocacy center with food, clothing, showers and camping supplies readily available for anyone in need. 

For Jim Morgan, it’s a resource that’s helped him over the past 12 years. Despite still being homeless, he also volunteers there every morning.

“I appreciate this organization being here and giving back to others,” Morgan said.

Last year’s count revealed there were more than 2,300 people experiencing homelessness in Franklin County alone. That’s a jump of 22% from the year before, and officials are afraid the number will continue to grow.

“When we were at our old location, we averaged probably 80 people a day, and we’re averaging now easily 150 people a day,” said Sheli Mathias, the director of The Open Shelter. “And in 2023, we saw a 60% increase in families that were serving. So that’s been that’s been pretty big.”

Isom said it’s important that we put an end to homelessness.

“What I do think is plausible is that we have a cure for homelessness, and that cure doesn’t mean that we are going to have a zero homelessness,” Isom said. “But what it does mean is that we will have a system that is ready to respond.”

Related Stories