Study: Homeless families rise in Suffolk

The number of homeless families seeking shelter has risen in Suffolk County and declined in Nassau County, compared with last year, according to a survey coordinated by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.

The annual poll, conducted in late January, represents a one-day count of the Island's homeless population, on streets and in shelters. The results determine the region's portion of federal money for homeless assistance.

The coalition submitted the results of the count to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development this week. Long Island takes in about $11 million a year in federal homelessness assistance, said Greta Guarton, executive director of the coalition.

The survey found a nearly 8 percent increase in the number of homeless families in Suffolk from 496 in 2011 to 535 this year, and a 15 percent decrease in Nassau, from 190 last year to 162 this year. However, the number of homeless individual adults increased by 21 percent in Nassau -- from 372 in 2011 to 450 this year -- while it decreased in Suffolk by 7.5 percent, from 662 in 2011 to 612 this year.

Guarton said the "point in time" study is more of a guideline than a definitive statement on the numbers of homeless Long Islanders.

The street count is conducted using 50 to 100 volunteers, who fan out into the streets and woods of Long Island seeking homeless people, but there are limitations: The volunteers aren't able to enter dense forests or abandoned buildings where homeless people might live, due to safety concerns. Also, they are not allowed to count people who are homeless but sleeping on friends' couches, for example.

"The geography of Long Island makes it nearly impossible to be able to count everyone," Guarton said. " . . . we're significantly undercounting."

The numbers of homeless people with severe mental illness, substance abuse or HIV/AIDS has also nearly doubled in both counties -- a spike Guarton said reflected an increase in participation in the survey from service providers.

Nassau has attributed the decline in homeless families to a program it began last year to move them into permanent housing. Suffolk, which historically has had higher numbers of homeless people, moves 30 to 40 families per month into permanent housing.