Speaking about single adults, many are working during the day. (Wilder survey shows 41% working; a local survey of shelters last year showed 65% working, 45% working full time). Those who aren't working often spend time at Drop-in centers, like those run by Catholic Charities or Mary Jo, or around town(skyways, library, etc or outside). About 40-50% suffer from mental illness (lower estimates result from missing the fact that many "self-medicate" with alcohol). At least 500 (conservative estimate), some of whom work, are sleeping outside at night--under bridges, by the river etc. Another 350 men sleep in "Secure Waiting" areas which are large facilities designed to be "less-than-shelter" alternatives. In the meantime, efforts to open up suitable long-term housing or additional shelter beds meet lots of "not in my backyard" resistance. There are shelters open during the day for those who work nights and sleep during the day, and shelters that are 24 hour facilities, usually for those with disabilities or vulnerable in other ways. Otherwise shelter for single adults are just open at night. Families usually have access to shelter 24 hours, though some rotate weekly from church to church at night , with a "home" base at one site during the day. Mainly, it's kind of embarrassing being the wealthiest country around and not being able to solve this problem.
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