Allen Lomax has experienced the anguish and precariousness that comes with being homeless.
That s one reason why Lomax understands the importance of local officials efforts to regularly tabulate the region’s homeless population, even if the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has altered that plan for 2021 in Erie County and nationwide.
“Counting during this time is important to find out what the homeless are doing and where they are staying at a critical time,” said Lomax, 54, who was homeless for two years after losing his home in 2008.
Lomax helped reset his life with help from the Upper Room daytime homeless shelter, located on the second floor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 1024 Peach St. He is now on staff as the shelter’s front-desk manager.