The annual point-in-time count of homeless people in Columbus and Franklin County emergency shelters showed an 18% decrease over the past year, which an official attributed to the eviction moratorium and enhanced unemployment benefits and stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of people in shelters the night of Jan. 27 was 1,201, down 265 from the 1,466 the year before, said Michelle Heritage, executive director of the Community Shelter Board.
That includes a decrease in the number of family members too, from 555 to 391. Family members include any adults and children under 18.
"We think this eviction moratorium has had a positive impact," Heritage said.