'It’s going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better'

PICCA directors Nick Pruitt and Fallon Kingery provided details of a recent survey of the unhoused while speaking to Sunrise Rotary May 14.

While that review showed close to 500 people living in various states of homelessness, the real number is closer to 1,000 people.

“It’s going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better,” Pruitt said.

Pruitt and Kingery said it is up to the community to address homelessness and a lack of affordable housing in the county. A concerning trend is an increase of homelessness among people age 60 and older. Rising interest and tax rates as well as mortgages and rent are pushing a growing number of older Americans out of their homes.

Club members also got an update on the Soap-n-Hope Mobile Hygiene unit, which the club is supporting with a $10,000 donation. A 32-foot trailer that will hold three shower stalls — including one with wheelchair access — and two over/under washer/dryer machines is ordered and expected to be delivered to PICCA by mid- to late-August.