HOME reports decline in unsheltered numbers

An annual Point in Time (PIT) count of the homeless population in Warren County performed by Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME) shows a decline in the number of unsheltered individuals in the county.

The goal of the count is to provide a general idea of each region's sheltered and homeless populations. The information is vital in assessing need and properly allocating resources to stem the tide of homelessness.

The most recent PIT count found a total of 52 people in a combination of emergency shelter, transitional housing and unsheltered. That number is down from 87 in 2025. In 2023, the PIT count was at 93 followed by 80 in 2024.

To shine a spotlight on the impact HOME is having locally, HOME Executive Director Sheila Fann-Herrin recently issued a community update on HOME's work from Jan. 1 - Sept. 23, 2026. The update read as follows:

"So much has happened at HOME in 2026, and I wanted to take a moment to share with you what your support has helped make possible. That progress belongs to a community that continues to believe people in crisis deserve safety, dignity, opportunity, and a way forward.

"Our HMIS reports document 122 program-level persons served across Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Street Outreach. Because people may move between HOME programs, this is not an unduplicated organization-wide count. We also identified 15 additional shelter clients in internal records for a total of 137 in nearly 10 months.

A QUICK LOOK

· 137 HMIS-documented program-level persons served

· 36 children and young adults under age 25

· 67% positive housing outcome among Transitional Housing exits

· 8+ program participants provided employment opportunities

"The 36 people under age 25 included 24 children under 18 and 12 young adults ages 18–24. In Transitional Housing, 12 of 18 exits moved to positive housing destinations. These aren't just percentages to us; they represent people moving from crisis toward greater stability.

A MAJOR STEP FORWARD: THE 2026 THDA AWARD

"HOME has always answered calls, met people where they are, and worked with people living outside. Our 2026 THDA award now gives us the resources to strengthen that work with a dedicated, paid Street Outreach position — someone whose job is to consistently go into the community, engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, build relationships, and connect them to the next right step.

"The award also provided for our HMIS (Licensed Database – Homeless Management Information System) and data support, allowing HOME to better document who we serve and where the gaps remain. This is REAL growth in HOME's capacity, and it is a significant step forward for Warren County. So, this grant will not only assist us in serving Category 1, street homeless, but it will also create employment within our community.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WE SERVE

"Over the past nine months, HOME has provided at least part-time employment opportunities to seven people who have participated in our programs. Some first came through our doors needing help themselves. Today, they are working. A first paycheck can mean routine, confidence, work history, references, savings and the ability to begin making choices again.

HOME • GROWTH, SERVICE & COMMUNITY

OUR THRIFT STORES, CAFÉ AND VOLUNTEERS

Located at 1700/1704 Smithville Hwy, our thrift stores and café help fund the mission, create local jobs and keep necessities affordable. Most thrift clothing is priced between $1 and $4. Many times, we see families leave with about $40 worth of clothing — sometimes enough to clothe nearly an entire family. So, when you donate to HOME, your donation does more than help fund services for people experiencing homelessness. You are also helping provide quality clothing and household necessities at prices local families can truly afford. Your donations serve our community in more ways than one: Fund the mission, provide affordable necessities to local families, and create jobs right here in our community.

"None of this happens without our Volunteers. They help run the thrift stores, serve as case managers, answer our phone lines, and step into countless other jobs that keep HOME moving. Their work helps generate the income that supports the mission and helps create the employment opportunities we are celebrating. If HOME had to pay for all of those volunteer hours, the cost would be thousands of dollars every week. Hands down and without exception, their donated time is part of the workforce that makes this mission possible.

THE GAPS SHOW US WHAT COMES NEXT

Since the beginning of the year, we have recorded 52 situations in which a higher level of care was required and out of our scope of services – mainly due to untreated mental health needs and/or active substance use. Another 16 situations involving pets for which we could not accommodate; 24 requests were from outside our service area; We do not add those figures to our 137 program-level count. We track them because every gap tells us something about what our community still needs.

SOMETIMES A MOTEL ROOM IS THE BRIDGE

"One young man we will call John Doe is 20 and has documented developmental and intellectual disabilities. When our mainstream shelter was not an appropriate placement, HOME placed him in a motel while we worked with agencies toward a longer-term solution. To date, HOME has spent approximately $800 keeping him safely housed and about 20 hours of case-management time on his case. At the time of this letter, we still have him in our care. We are hoping for a resolution soon. We realize the cost. We also realize if we let him go, he will be lost in a system without even improper care. We fully believe that HOME is his hope.

"In another recent situation, HOME provided nine motel nights to an entire family with special needs displaced from a condemned home.

"A motel room does not solve homelessness, but sometimes it buys the time needed to find the solution. As colder weather approaches, we know emergency motel assistance will continue to be needed.

"Community support can make an immediate difference. You can help cover the cost of an emergency motel room — part of a night, one full night or several nights — when shelter is unavailable or is not an appropriate placement.

"To help with emergency motel costs: Mail a check to HOME, P.O. Box 301, McMinnville, TN 37110 and write 'Motel Assistance' in the memo line. Venmo: @Home-37110 — please note 'Motel Assistance.'

"When I look at this year so far, I see more than numbers. I see people who had somewhere safe to sleep, children protected from the uncertainty of homelessness, people moving into housing, people earning paychecks, volunteers giving thousands of dollars' worth of time, and HOME growing its ability to reach people living outside.

"On behalf of our Board of Directors, Connie Fox, Nancy McNeal and Bill Davis, we hope you will take a moment to celebrate with us. HOME is stronger, our reach is broader, and we are better equipped to serve Warren County than we were at the beginning of the year."

For additional information about homelessness and how you can be help, contact Fann-Herrin at home371101@gmail.com.