Video: Homeless Census Underway In Tupelo Area

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – An effort to count the homeless population is underway in Tupelo.

The Salvation Army reported 42 people at its shelter Monday night. The tally is part of a project by a group called “Mississippi United To End Homelessness.”

Members of the group are going to encampments and other places where homeless people are known to stay.

Those taking part say it’s important to get an accurate count of the homeless population.

“The federal government decides how much funding they are going to give for homelessness by how many you have homeless in your state, and they also break it into countywide, some counties say, oh we don’t have any homeless, but they’re not helping the situation, they’re only hurting it,” said Susan Gilbert, director of the social services program at the Salvation Army.

The homeless census is also taking place at the free , daily breakfast hosted at All Saints Episcopal Church.