Reducing the number of homeless individuals in Joplin has been a moving target for decades. The latest page was written Monday during the informal portion of the Joplin city council meeting. KRPS's Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
According to the most recent homelessness count conducted by the Joplin Homeless Coalition in early January, the number of unhoused individuals in Joplin has decreased by 22% over the past five years.
This year, the coalition counted 210 homeless people in Joplin. During past meetings, council members discussed how to work with community groups, what services should be provided, and where.
On Monday night, Assistant City Manager Tony Robyn made a case for another survey that would help determine the best use of resources. Gary Shaw, who has served on the council for nearly 23 years, had this observation.
"The one thing I don't see happening right now is a part of our homeless society who aren't interested in doing better in finding a job. They aren't interested; they're happy living off of us, living off of the community."
The highest number of homeless people in Joplin were in 2012 and 2013, the two years after the tornado when thousands of residents lost their homes. The council okayed a plan for the city to work with homeless coalition partners on Monday. For 89 9 KRPS, I'm Fred Fletcher-Fierro
