The number of homeless continues to rise in Western New York. A new study suggests a corresponding rise in the number of families who have fallen into poverty.
Homeless Alliance Executive Director Dale Zuchlewski says there's the image of the single guy wandering around as the face of the homelessness issue. He says that's not completely true.
There are more families, veterans and people who make it out of being homeless then something goes wrong and they are right back out on the street.
The Homeless Alliance officer says there are also people who aren't quite counted because they are "couch-surfing" with friends and relatives but don't have a steady home.
AnnMarie Taft is media and special events coordinator for the Salvation Army which sponsored a summit on homelessness yesterday. Taft says her agency houses all members of families.
"Because out shelter is really designed, structured for families," Taft said.
"Some of our rooms have adjoining rooms. It's not comfortable by any means. It's very stark but it still keeps the family unit together. Meals are together. A structure is laid out."
In other cases, an agency might split the males to one shelter and the rest of the family to another. The homelessness summit was sponsored by Rochester's Wilson Foundation which has a special focus on family homelessness.
