CHARLESTONΒ – The Department of Human Services has released its first comprehensive study on homelessness in West Virginia, providing critical insights into the demographics of the unhoused population. The “Assessment of West Virginia Homeless Population” was published by the Bureau for Behavioral Health on Monday afternoon. This report was mandated by Senate Bill 239, passed in 2023, which required the Bureau for Behavioral Health commissioner to collaborate with various providers and leaders to study the homeless demographic.
According to a summary of the 169-page report, 58 percent of survey respondents identified as male, while 13 percent identified as Black or African Americanβsignificantly higher than the 3.7 percent of Black residents in West Virginia, according to the latest U.S. Census data. The average age of the unhoused ranged from 25 to 44 years.
While the state’s substance use disorder crisis and opioid addiction contribute to the number of unhoused individuals, the report also highlights other significant factors, including individuals released from state incarceration, a lack of affordable housing, and unemployment. The unhoused communities are primarily concentrated near major cities, attracted by the availability of services provided by city authorities and non-profit organizations.
Contrary to stereotypes, the majority of the unhoused population are native West Virginians who have been in the state long-term. Others have moved to West Virginia due to the availability of services, family connections, or personal relationships.
Dr. William Mercer, founder of Project HOPE, which collaborates with medical providers in the Ohio Valley to offer health services to the unhoused in Wheeling and surrounding areas, stated that the report underscores the need for state support to address issues facing the unhoused.
βIt wasnβt too surprising,β Mercer said. βIβm certainly glad this came out. It highlights what weβre dealing with. Iβm glad that other people are looking at this.
βI think maybe one thing at the top of the list would be unaffordable housing. I think thatβs one of the biggest things right now. Obviously, we are seeing the addiction and mental health issues. Itβs just kind of overwhelming, which shows that we do need more mental health facilities and people to kind of help treat this.β
Wheeling is working towards establishing a managed homeless camp exempt from the cityβs ban on homeless encampments. The current exempt camp is located in East Wheeling. Last month, more than 40 representatives from multiple organizations that provide resources to the unhoused met to collaborate on joint efforts in the region.
Mercer emphasized the current challenge of record-breaking heat, which poses a significant risk to the unhoused, highlighting the importance of access to water. The exempt camp now has a water buffalo mobile water supply to help meet this need.
βI just left our camp, and the highlight of the day is bringing them bottled water and Ziegenfelder popsicles,β Mercer said. βWeβre a medical unit, our Project HOPE, so we deal more with the medical issues and weβre seeing a lot with the heat. We try to educate what heat exhaustion is, what heat stroke is, what are the symptoms, and try to hydrate.β
Mercer hopes that the data in the new report will prompt the West Virginia Legislature to provide more funding to address the issues facing the unhoused, including mental health services and affordable housing.
βIβm hoping that this brings to light that thereβs definitely a need so that maybe some money would be a little easier to get for what we think is needed,β Mercer said.
Matt Pinner is a dedicated journalist for WVPrepBB.com, specializing in USA and crime news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, Matt brings timely and insightful reporting to his readers. His work on WVPrepBB.com keeps the community informed and engaged with the latest developments in national news and criminal justice.
