Shelter space lacking for homeless

Awakening to boots filled with water after a rainstorm, James Goodwin decided that five days in the woods was enough.

The Jackson man walked seven hours to Augusta to find a homeless shelter.

Mr. Goodwin is fortunate. Most Augusta shelters are geared to serve single men like him. For women, especially women without children, a safe, warm place to sleep can be hard to find.

Rebecca Wallace, the development director of The Salvation Army in Augusta, said that it has a small space available for women with children.

"Historically people have thought of single men as being homeless, and that's kind of what we initially based all of our programs on," she said. "Over time, in the past 10 years, we've seen a larger and larger number of women and children that are becoming homeless."

A lack of space and funding keeps the organization from serving more women and children, she said.

The facility can house 38 women with children, but typically keeps about 12 women and children on a waiting list. The list has grown to about 20 people during the cold weather, Mrs. Wallace said.

Bed space is available for 48 men, she said.

Blankets are kept for those the shelter can't accommodate.

"We do have a high number of homeless," Mrs. Wallace said.

Mental health and drug abuse are the top underlying factors in becoming homeless. Augusta's Hope House was founded in 2001 to help women and their children through such difficulties.

Hope House is moving from Wrightsboro Road to Highland Avenue, where the Highlands West can house 42 families -- homeless, addicted and mentally troubled women and their children, all of whom will get mental health treatment.

A moderate climate and its proximity to another state with fewer services, among other factors, make Augusta attractive to the homeless, she said.

Manufacturing and day-labor jobs are another draw.

The Salvation Army and the Garden City Rescue Mission both reserve some beds for working homeless.

When The Salvation Army fills up, it tries to send homeless to another nearby shelter, such as Garden City Rescue Mission, she said.

Colette Lloyd and her daughter found their way to Garden City after family put them out Nov. 17.

They slept in their car for two nights before going to the shelter.

If shelter space were not available, Ms. Lloyd said, she would have to leave the state to stay with other family members.

Garden City has 53 beds for men and space for 10 mothers with children, Director Travis Sharpe said.

"Men are easier to help because you can give them night shelter and food, and it significantly helps," he said. "Mothers with children have many more needs."

A study done by the shelter in 2007 revealed that the typical homeless person stays at Garden City no more than 21 days, Mr. Sharpe said.

"Homeless are transient," he said. "They'll pass through."

He said many come to Augusta because there is a good chance of getting back on their feet with day-labor jobs.

Mr. Goodwin was to have moved into the Maxwell House Apartments on Friday after staying at Garden City about 20 nights.

He said he thanks God and Garden City for helping him get his life back together after he spent all his money, which landed him on the street.

"It is really a blessed thing that they're doing here," Mr. Goodwin said.

"They could be in front of the fireplace with their families."

Reach Crystal Garcia at (706) 823-3409 or crystal.garcia@augustachronicle.com.