The Homeless Task Force meeting held on July 18, 2025, in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, focused on pressing issues surrounding homelessness and eviction prevention in the region. The meeting began with a report indicating that there were approximately 96 to 97 calls related to eviction prevention and opioid homelessness in the previous month. Task force members discussed the challenges of managing these cases, particularly the difficulty in tracking repeat callers and understanding the true scope of need within the community.

A member raised the question of whether any of the callers were repeat contacts, suggesting that identifying these individuals could provide a clearer picture of ongoing needs. It was noted that about 25% of the calls were from individuals who had reached out for assistance in previous months. However, the majority of callers were new cases, indicating a continuous influx of individuals seeking help.

The discussion highlighted the limitations in tracking these individuals effectively, with some members expressing uncertainty about the current staffing capabilities to maintain comprehensive records. It was suggested that the task force could collaborate with the Coordinated Entry Committee to access more detailed statistics from the "by name list," which tracks homeless individuals, particularly those who are street homeless or victims of domestic violence.

The meeting also touched on the shift in focus from rapid rehousing to homelessness prevention, attributed to the ongoing housing crisis and affordability issues in the area. Members acknowledged that the current housing situation has made it increasingly difficult for individuals to secure stable living arrangements, leading to a greater emphasis on preventing homelessness before it occurs.

Overall, the meeting underscored the urgent need for improved data collection and collaboration among local agencies to address the growing challenges of homelessness and eviction in Carbon County. The task force plans to follow up on the discussed strategies and gather more information to better serve the community's needs.