The Republic

 AT its best, the recently conducted homeless count in Bartholomew County can be described as a snapshot of real life in this community.

   Even those who conduct the survey acknowledge that it is incomplete, and that the actual number of those who are in a constant state of fear over where they will spend the night is much higher than the black and white numbers on a report form.

   However, this head count is important - not so much for the statistics - but in the message they convey. Regardless of how many homeless people might have been missed, this survey and earlier ones represent actual numbers and are not based upon urban myths or anecdotes.

   Last month's survey documented 35 homeless people on Jan. 30. Of that number 34 were sheltered in facilities operated by institutions such as Horizon House, Centerstone and Turning Point. One was found to be living under a bridge on National Road. 

   Some might take heart from these latest numbers in that they represent a dramatic decrease from past surveys. Last year (Jan. 25) there were 77 people counted as homeless. On Jan. 25, 2007, (no survey was taken in 2008), there were 93.

   There is no way to determine how many might have been missed or whether there are some who had found temporary shelter either with families or friends (and thus not qualify as homeless, according to federal standards) or were staying in abandoned buildings that were not checked.

   In some respects, the actual state of homelessness is weather-related. A survey taken in July 2007 (when warmer temperatures made outdoor living less painful than in the frigid winter months) listed 203 as homeless.

   There is reason to believe that the surveys have had a positive result in reducing the number of those without a place to call home. Social service agencies in the community report that programs designed to keep people in their homes or help them return to homes quickly have had an impact.

   Moreover, the statistics can help area agencies secure grants for services to help the homeless.

   That said, there is no simple solution to a vexing problem that has become a topic for community debate in recent years. 

   The plight of some such as the individual found living under the National Road bridge has been used by community activists to call for even more action on the part of social service agencies to provide shelter. That attitude is muted in part by the attitudes of those like this individual who refused assistance when it was offered. 

   More does need to be done in addressing issues such as the homeless, but action should be based on provable statistics such as provided in these surveys, not word-of-mouth tales that have gone through numerous tellings and revisions.