The letters are how they prefer to be identified. Both say they suffer from severe mental health issues and drug abuse addictions. Their housing situation doesn’t help matters.

“I was sexually abused by my father as a child,” said “A.” “I’m messed up in the head now. I drink and use drugs to deal with all this crap floating up here,” “A” said as she pointed to her head.

For “T” drug use is a problem.

“T” stated, “I use drugs, I started with weed (marijuana), but now I can’t get off the meth (methamphetamine), it’s just too hard,” he explained, as he smiled during the interview his damaged and rotting teeth could be seen clearly. According to springhillrecovery.com, meth usage is known to cause damage to tooth enamel and is commonly referred to as “meth mouth.”

A wet blanket and blue tarp shelter was discovered on the north side of city, Sunday. A makeshift ventilation and heating system was found in the shelter and approximately 3 feet behind the site was a hole dug into the ground for human waste disposal. P-J Photo by Chirstopher Blakeslee

Homelessness has become a growing problem in the Jamestown area over the past couple of years with no easy answers. Chautauqua County officials say they want to change their approach in dealing with the homeless to prioritize mental health resources, community support and more housing solutions.

What does that mean?

“I firmly believe that addressing homelessness in Jamestown requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes mental health resources, community support and quality housing solutions,” said Carmelo Hernandez, county director of community mental hygiene services. “The recent challenges surrounding emergency housing, such as the temporary closure of the UCAN City Mission, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive intervention. The correlation between mental health issues and substance abuse among individuals experiencing homelessness is evident, highlighting the necessity for targeted support services. While local hotels can provide immediate relief, they alone cannot address the underlying causes of homelessness. We must strive for a continuum of care, integrating transitional and supportive housing options to ensure long-term stability and wellbeing for those in need.”

That doesn’t provide a quick answer for people like “A” and “T” who are living in abandoned buildings. A city official offers one reason why there is no quick answer.

“These things take time to plan, money and staff,” said Crystal Surdyk, development director for Jamestown. “I’m not sure anyone knows exactly where to start.”

A NATIONAL PROBLEM

According to the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress roughly 653,100 people – or about 20 of every 10,000 people in the United States – were experiencing homelessness on any single night in 2023. Six in 10 people were in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or haven program while the remaining four in 10 were experiencing unsheltered homelessness in places not meant for human habitation, according to the report.

Area non-profit organizations and social services agencies are experiencing an increase in demands or requests for support and services, thus putting a strain on valuable and limited resources.

“When we first started our food truck outreach ministry, we’d average 30 to 50 people in Brooklyn Square,” said Molly Cummings, a food truck outreach team leader with Conduit Church. “This past Sunday afternoon, our teams passed out more than 232 meals.”

For Bonnie Weber, the leader of Be the Change You Want to See in Jamestown, this is all old, sad and repetitive news.

“We’re seeing more and more people who are homeless, and or struggling to get by,” she said. “The cost of everything has gone up and people are starting to go hungry.”

While not an exact science, both Weber and Cummings seem to have a knack for finding and picking out those who may be homeless or distressed, while getting much-needed resources to them.

“When we see shopping carts from stores being used to transport what appears to be a person’s belongings, it’s a safe bet they’re homeless,” said Cummings. “When the carts are full of tents, sleeping bags, food and clothing – basically a person’s entire worldly belongings – that’s a good indicator of homelessness.”

Weber, whose “God’s Wagons of Love,” goes to homeless encampments bringing food, clothing and hygiene products, agrees with Cummings’ hypothesis.

“I’ve seen these carts filled with clean and dirty clothing, food I’ve passed out within the week, fishing gear and fire starting items,” she added. “They (homeless) tend to keep all their possessions with them for fear of it (their possessions) being stolen or thrown away by the authorities.”

During a recent Conduit Church meal giveaway, more than 21 different styles and colored shopping carts made their way into Brooklyn Square.

Weber also stated that while not everyone is homeless, some are facing tough times as well and are having trouble just making ends meet, making services like meal-giveaways a vital link with palliative care efforts.

“Everything is just so expensive,” Weber said. “People are struggling to pay their bills, house and feed their kids. Some are just trying to keep their heads above water. … It’s heartbreaking.”

SCHOOL CHILDREN

In Jamestown, homeless shelters were found on the north side, with one having a smoke and ventilation system constructed out of aluminum foil heating system. The makeshift shelter was covered in wet blankets, on top of a blue tarp, and what appeared to be a “cathole” or hastily dug hole relieving oneself behind, less than three feet behind the shelter.

One of the more heartbreaking things seen on a recent tour of homeless encampments was a site that had obviously housed a child. Toys, games and children’s clothes littered the site.

While area youth make up a portion of the population considered “at-risk”, public school systems have a legal and moral obligation to assist individual students who are or are bordering on becoming homeless.

“The McKinney-Vento Act states that children and youth who lack “a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” will be considered homeless. McKinney-Vento-eligible students have the right to: receive a free, appropriate public education; enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment, or having missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness; enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents; continue attending the school of origin, or enroll in the local attendance area school if attending the school of origin is not in the best interest of the student or is contrary to the request of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth; receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested by the parent or guardian, or by the local liaison on behalf of an unaccompanied youth; and receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to each student’s need,” said Chad Bongiovanni, in an email.

Bongiovanni, director of student support services and McKinney-Vento liaison for Jamestown Public Schools, also pointed out that public schools not only receive federal funding for this program, but that Jamestown has several community organizations ready and willing to step up to the plate when needed, and the schools in the school system can assist with possible referrals and wraparound care.

“Jamestown Public Schools receives federal funding known as Title I, Part A. A percentage of this reserve is an allocation for services to homeless children and youths. The services must be reasonable and necessary to assist homeless students to take advantage of educational opportunities. In addition to Title I, Part A funding, each Jamestown school has an abundance of school supplies and personal care products available to students who are experiencing homelessness. It is also noteworthy that the Jamestown community has several community organizations that can quickly intervene with students and families who have found themselves in temporary living situations. Our schools can help families with referrals to these agencies as a wraparound support in collaboration with the schools’ efforts,” he said.