The number of homeless people statewide increased within the last year, causing local organizations to come up with more ways to help them.

However, as the Mahoning Valley endures bitterly cold temperatures, resources and housing are limited. Nationally, the homeless population saw an 18% increase in 2024. The number locally is higher, up 33% in that same year.

A big concern behind why the numbers are so high, is a lack of financial education.

"They're not aware of or have ever been taught how to steward their finances well and so when they're staying here, part of the programs at the Rescue Mission in Youngstown is to hold them accountable to saving their money," John Muckridge, President and CEO of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley said. "So that when they move out, and a catastrophic event happens, they have the financial safety mat to stay out into shelter and not have to come seek shelter at the homeless shelter," he said.

In 2023 13% of the population in Trumbull County was dealing with severe housing issues due to a number of different reasons.

"I think the economy has a lot to do with it, inflation, price increases and there's a lack of affordable housing. Most of our shelters are always at capacity and many of those cannot take families so it is a significant problem," Darlene Jones, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul NE Ohio District said. "Currently we have four families with multiple children we are housing in motels because there are no shelter options available for them here in Trumbull County," she said.

Muckridge said they try to offer solutions.

"If you are homeless and you're staying at the Rescue Mission and if you're capable and able to work, in order for you to continue to stay here, you have to go out and look for work because we want to help you grow out of homelessness," Muckridge said. "We don't want you to continue to depend on the hand out, we want to give you a hand up out of homelessness," he said.

Jones and her colleagues are working to distribute dual use sleeping bags to those in need who can't find housing or a shelter to take them. The bags are also winter coats and they each come with personal hygiene supplies and thick socks to keep people warm.

"We are one of only three organizations in Ohio currently that are offering these coats so we're just very, very fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time thinking outside of the box so to speak, to try to make sure that our unhoused individuals in Trumbull County had some resources to stay warm and dry," Jones said.

St. Vincent de Paul employees will be out Tuesday looking for homeless people to give the coats to. Advocates have long believed the official numbers of those who are homeless are undercounted and the problem is worse than known.