Galveston, Texas (KTRK) – With the summer tourism season underway, Galveston is looking forward to learning more about the unwanted guests.
Galveston’s leaders have an idea of the number of homeless people on the island. Federal numbers show about 320 were counted earlier this year, but they don’t know why they’re here or why the number continues to grow.
That’s why they turn to backpacks because the answer may be what’s inside.
While city leaders hope to increase tourist numbers this summer, they are trying to reduce another number.
For months, they have tried to tackle the homeless population – an issue that was raised again during Thursday’s council workshop meeting.
Galveston Mayor Craig Brown explained, “I wouldn’t say it’s out of control, but we’re seeing, as I think many cities do, an increase in our homeless population.”
To learn more, the city is working with various organizations, including Galveston CoCare.
This summer, volunteers plan to survey people experiencing homelessness.
They will ask 25 questions, including where they came from, how they got here, and whether they want to go back.
By August, the city may come up with a plan that may include providing transportation off the island.
“For those individuals who are on the island who may wish to return to their place of origin, home or where they were brought,” Brown said.
To get homeless people to participate, organizations plan to give them a backpack full of summer supplies for their time off—items provided by organizations, not taxpayers.
Not only will the answers help the city, but the agencies plan to use the responses to improve services. It is planned to meet with at least 300 homeless people over the next two months.
“Often when you look at a homelessness situation, there’s a lot of anecdotal information,” Brown explained. “Really incorrect information. What we want to do is make that information objective, and that would give us the detail we need.”
The leaders of the information city hope that it will help everyone who comes to the island.
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