Although the problem of homelessness in Harford County was recognized nearly a dozen years ago, officials are still struggling to establish a permanent shelter for a population that numbers in the hundreds.
Harford is the largest jurisdiction in the state without a long-term facility, said Rob Hess, president of the Baltimore-based Center for Poverty Solutions. As a result, those who find themselves without a home rely on temporary motel vouchers from the county or a rotating winter shelter run by 13 area churches - or are subject to the vagaries of street life.
"I didn't have anybody else to turn to," said Ronald Lucas, 36, a recovering alcoholic who is living in the church shelter. "It's hard for a single man to get help."
In the fall, a coalition of Harford residents and clergy approached County Executive James M. Harkins, asking for help in addressing homelessness.
"Is it moving fast enough? The answer is no," said Hess, who works with the group. "Is it picking up momentum now? Yes."
The group, Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United, is exploring using surplus property, housing at Aberdeen Proving Ground or the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Perry Point in Cecil County for a shelter. A similar venture at Fort Meade - Sarah's House, run by Catholic Charities - has proved successful.
"The drawback is, this process takes three to five years to work out," said the Rev. Stephen Gosnell, pastor of Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Edgewood and a member of the group. "That is frustrating."
Harkins echoes that frustration. "The county has been working collaboratively on a number of projects," he said. "It's a work in progress. We can't advocate a time frame."
Numbers unknown
No one seems to know how many homeless people live in Harford.
"It's difficult," said Mary Chance, director of the county Department of Community Services. "Unfortunately, it's one of the things we need to deal with. We have to ask groups to be more re sponsible in reporting numbers."
She said 809 homeless clients were served in fiscal 2000, but that number might include duplications because clients might use a variety of shelters.
The county refers people in need to transitional shelters in the county as Anna's House, which offers lodging to women with children; Holy Family House, for families and women with children; and SARC (Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center Inc.) for battered women and their children.
