An annual census of the homeless population in Cherokee County in late January showed a slight decrease over the previous year, from 218 in January 2024 to between 190 and 200 in January.
The survey, called a “Point in Time” count, was conducted throughout North Carolina in late January. Data from the count is used to determine state and federal funding to address homeless issues.
The count is conducted in winter months to reveal the true number of profoundly homeless people – people who for whatever reason have no housing options even in the depth of winter.
The PIT count does not include people who are temporarily housed, but local organizers conducted a side count to get a better grasp of the local homeless issue.
This year’s total is an approximation for the moment because numbers reported by the homeless shelter in Murphy overlap with the reported total count of 181.
The total number of unsheltered people in Cherokee County was 81. Another 90 people had temporary housing – staying with friends, hospitals, schools, jail, etc.
Ten were in a community room due to the cold.
Meanwhile, the Hurlburt Johnson Friendship House in Murphy, Cherokee County’s homeless shelter, reported 24 individuals staying there, including six children under age 18. Among adults, four were women and 14 were men. One was a veteran, and none of them were over age 65.
“There were others that we were not able to count for various reasons including transitioning to their own place earlier in the day, behavioral or substance use challenges that prevented them from being in shelter, and several who would have been there for cold weather had it been cold enough, but alas, it wasn’t,” shelter manager Peggy White said.
“While I understand the need and importance of the count, it just doesn’t seem like it will ever be an accurate count, but I do hope the count we were able to do is a help for the county.”
The county was overseen by Four Square Community Action Inc., an agency that provides poverty assistance in Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain counties. Four Square is a nonprofit organization based in Andrews with a mission to provide services with the goal of enabling disadvantaged populations to become more self-sufficient.
Four Square’s chief executive officer, Sue Lynn Ledford, led the counts in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties. Swain County conducted its own count.
Ledford said the total unsheltered number in Cherokee County was 81, including 46 in Murphy, 12 in Andrews and eight in western Cherokee County around Ranger.
Among Cherokee County’s homeless, 38 were under age 18 and five were over age 65.
Clay County’s homeless count was 52, while Graham County’s homeless count was 48.
Ledford said combatting homelessness is more than just providing an occasional meal. It’s about identifying the underlying causes of homeless, such as joblessness, substance abuse, mental illness, etc., and providing resources to help homeless people overcome those obstacles.
She and Murphy Mayor Tim Radford are also looking for ways to provide resources for homeless people, including a warm place for homeless people to stay during times like recent weeks when temperatures were in the 20s or lower.