Area experts discuss increase in Joplin homelessness in 2024

JOPLIN, Mo. — Local experts say there's been a marked increase in homelessness in Joplin.

They say one thing plays a big role in that.

If you think there are more homeless people on the streets of Joplin than in years past, it's not your imagination.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there's been an 18% increase in homelessness in 2024 after a 12% increase in 2023.

Robin Smith says much the same thing is happening in the Joplin area.

"Yes, the number of unsheltered homeless last year increased more than double than it did, than we had the previous year, as far as the numbers goes, that's unsheltered folks, folks that are not staying in a shelter or transitional housing or something like that," said Robin Smith, chairperson, Homeless Coalition of Jasper and Newton Counties.

And without something changing in the future, she says the problem is likely to continue to worsen.

"The bottom line is we need more affordable housing, period," said Smith.

There have always been homeless in the area, but Smith says it really started getting worse after the 2011 Joplin tornado.

She says many of the houses destroyed by it were rental properties, but since they've been rebuilt, rent on them has risen so much that even with housing vouchers, many just can't afford a roof over their heads.