United Way: Homelessness on the Rise in Linn County

A recent survey performed by officials the Cedar Rapids Police Department, United Way of East Central Iowa and the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter found that the homeless population in Linn County has grown.

A total of 11 homeless people were recently identified as living on the streets in Linn County, which is a four year high.

However that number merely reflects the amount of homeless people found living on the street, so it does not include homeless people living in shelters or transitional housing.

The amount of homelessness including those not living on the streets seems to be on the rise as well. The Gazette wrote in a recent story that Linn County’s assistance programs aided 39 percent more homeless people in a one year period last year.

But this most recent headcount might not reflect the full number of those living on the streets.

Russ Swain, an officer with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, aided with the surge. He warned that, due to the nature of the survey, there’s likely to be many more homeless individuals on the streets.

"We know that there’s more," he said. "But we just can’t find them."

For the audio interview conducted by United Way of East Central Iowa’s Christoph Trappe, click here.