A quarterly report shows the number of homeless individuals calling United Way of Larimer County 2-1-1 more than doubled between July and October this year. The majority of the callers were adult women between the ages of 18 and 59.

United Way 2-1-1 is the connection to community resources for people who need to find places where they can get assistance with food, clothing, rent, shelter, support groups, parenting information, volunteerism and other community services in Larimer County (Colorado).

With a 116 percent increase in callers who are homeless, United Way 2-1-1 director Tracy Hays said, “We are continuing to see the impact of the economy through the calls we are receiving each day. Our 2-1-1 referral specialists are able to direct these people, including the homeless, to services available in our community.”

In 2008, 68 homeless individuals called 2-1-1 for assistance between July and October. This year, that number increased to 147 during the same time period.

“These numbers represent a small sampling of those who are newly homeless and do not know where to turn. They are the hidden homeless,” said Gordan Thibedeau, president and CEO of United Way of Larimer County.

The number of those individuals who are chronically homeless in the community is not increasing, Thibedeau noted. He said United Way and other nonprofit organizations in Larimer County are working with many homeless people who have lost their jobs and in turn lost their homes.

“Once someone falls into this level of poverty, it’s very difficult for them to get back on track,” said Thibedeau.