Annual count reveals a different side of homelessness in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Homelessness is a growing problem in Augusta, and volunteers got an up-close look at it this week.
They went out Monday night to conduct the annual homeless census, something that happens every year in the last 10 days of January.
The night revealed a different side of homelessness in Augusta.
Past abandoned buildings filled with hoarded belongings and littered street corners, people were found at very different intersections in their lives:
- A homeless veteran sleeping in his car whose DoorDash job was about to land him an apartment.
- A man using blankets and trash as covers behind stores around the Augusta Mall.
- One who chose to sleep next to a Bojangles because he lost the people he loved most and didn’t want to be anywhere but homeless.
The cause is to lend a hand before it spirals further out of control.
“Once they’re over, it’s very hard to get them back,” said volunteer Dan Funsch.
Funsch volunteered on Washington Road and heard many stories about how one moment can change someone’s life drastically.
“I would perceive homeless people in our community,” he said. “I think that most of us aren’t very far from being homeless. I mean one serious illness and you can’t work for a couple of months and you could be there yourself.”
It’s a daunting task the Marshal’s Office does on a monthly basis by themselves.
“This is the way that we get our resources and our funding,” said Compliance Inspector Catalina Canavan.
It’s a growing need that needs community to put out the flames.
Funsch said: “I’m just trying to do something because these are real people in our community for crying out loud. Am I just going to be at peace for knowing that I’m not doing anything?”
We followed three Richmond County Marshal’s Deputies as they surveyed people at their lowest and provided some care if they wanted it.
While this group was fortunate enough to wrap up around 2 a.m. after surveying lots of Wrightsboro Road, others were still working into the morning.
Although the “point in time” survey was Monday, volunteers will maintain an outreach to the homeless through Jan. 31.
The count lasted from sunset to sunrise as 165 volunteers came together.
“It always humbles you, no matter how many times you go out, you always meet a different kind of person that’s been through a different kind of trauma,” said volunteer Angela Bakos of Resourced Augusta.
Bethany Trapp, program coordinator, said: “Without them (volunteers), we cannot do this encom of this entire county in one night.”
Volunteers walked alongside law enforcement officers, hitting the streets of Augusta.
District 7 Augusta Commission member Sean Frantom said: “It’s been enlightening to the community to have that many volunteers that want to see it. And they’re going to pull behind the curtain a little bit.”
Frantom has been on multiple “point in time” counts and says while the work isn’t easy, it’s an important part of learning where Augusta’s homeless issue stems from.
“It’s interesting. You learn their different stories. Some of them are stories that’ll break your heart because you understand that maybe they just lost a job. They’re trying to find work, their veterans. There are so many different situations and you truly learn, you know, everybody in your community,” he said.
The Marion Barnes Center prepared 600 care packages, 100 of them donated by Warren Baptist Church.
Shawn Hargis-Rhodes with the Richmond County Marshal’s Office said: “Being law enforcement, it’s important for us to know where they’re at. It’s important for us to engage with them on a positive note to offer resources and, of course, to get them off the streets and that’s when the funding comes in.”
Hargis-Rhodes says the count isn’t just to get numbers by the beginning of the year, but to give out life-saving equipment to anyone they encounter when the weather is colder.
“There was a time when we could hardly even get volunteers to assist us in the last few years. I think there’s been a big, big push to educate the community and our partners on the need and now they have just come out in droves is amazing and everyone is completely excited about getting together and rallying up,” said Rhodes.
SEE WHAT VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO SAY:
It’s a year-round effort that once a year brings dozens together.
Janelys Villalta, with the Salvation Army of Augusta, said: “We’re always going to be able to find better ways to serve the community if we work together.”
The count will result in federal funding for resources, which is why this night took since October to plan to make sure everything goes right.
Trapp said: “I want to make sure every volunteer has some kind of encounter with the people we are looking for and then the other thing too is I want our homeless community to feel comfortable in that conversation.”
According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Augusta found 445 people experiencing homelessness in 2017.
In 2022, Augusta found 576 people experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the count grew to 643.
This year’s count will shed light on how much the problem has grown further.
FACES OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUGUSTA:
- Many of Augusta’s homeless are in need of mental health care
- How evictions fuel the homeless population in Augusta
- Uncovering the pervasive problem of homelessness in Augusta
- Barriers keeping aid from families facing homelessness
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