Yes Virginia, Warren County has a homeless issue.

It’s not like the crisis many bigger cities face. It’s not even the crisis Jamestown has seen over the past few years, and it’s nowhere near what Jamestown saw in 2024 that prompted its mayor to issue a state of emergency and take action to disperse the homeless from camping in the middle of its downtown area.

Our issue is a little different. Homeless encampments in Warren County are more likely to be small and away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. It’s often a case of out of sight, out of mind. But there are homeless here. Last winter’s point-in-time count in Warren County had 44 homeless households. These included seven children ages 19 or under and six young adults aged 18 to 24. Seven of these people were mentally ill and 15 were veterans. We have a feeling the problem is bigger – and we’re not alone. Melanie Swab, housing director at the Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunities Council recently told the Times Observer, has a feeling a point-in-time count that takes place during the summer would reveal more homeless Warren County residents.

Many people are what is considered category two homeless. These are people that are doubled up in housing, living with friends, in multigenerational houses with parents and grandparents, or couch surfing from place to place.

“Primarily in Warren County, homelessness looks more like people being doubled up. We have multi-generations of families living in the same household, mostly due to the fact that housing stock is extremely low in this area and incomes are extremely low in this area. Unfortunately, when you take those two things into account, the rents are very high for the area.” Swab said.

It would be interesting to see a summer point-in-time count to get a better handle on the breadth of Warren County’s homeless situation. Having that type of data could help area nonprofits better help the homeless we have here. Swab’s point about lack of housing and the high cost of housing is one to take note of as well. County officials are nearly ready to begin a comprehensive housing study for Warren County – but it’s obvious that the plan should call for additional affordable housing in Warren County. A common story for those who find themselves homeless – whether it’s on the streets or living with family – is rents rising faster than incomes and government housing assistance. It’s a bigger issue than most county residents think it is – and it’s time that the homeless problem finds itself on the public’s radar.