Homeless staying in shelters longer during recession

ST. CLOUD, MN-The recession has made it harder for homeless to get back on their feet.  According to St. Cloud’s Salvation Army shelter, the stay in their facility is now eight days longer than it was last year, going from 30 to 38 days.

The average stay is now only a week shorter than the maximum time that the city allows people to live in emergency housing.

The job market has caused prolonged stays and financial problems of the shelters. “The amount of assistance available, the number of grants out there is decreasing and the number of people applying for grants is increasing. The money is not keeping up with our needs,” Karla Rolfzen said. “We’re unable to hire additional staff we desperately need.” The shelter does not have the staff or funds to be working at their full capacity.

The number of homeless people seeking shelter assistance hasn’t increased, but they have to turn people away every month.