This seems to be something people don’t always give second thought to. When people talk about the homeless, the first things thought about are images of people on busy city streets in rusty clothes waiting around near allies. In there, the answer is quite static, because it can be I guess. But if that’s the case, change the setting and that changes too. In the places where I’ve lived, people often needed that mapped out. Where are they known in your rural locales?
We don’t have many, mainly because winter simply isn’t survivable here in the Appalachians fully outside.
There is a spot near a stretch of woods at the edge of town that sometimes has a camp going, but it’s usually itinerant homeless folks rather than locals. It’s not far from the highway, and a railway, so it makes sense.
The town is still small enough that locals don’t stay homeless for long. There’s always a trailer or garage room or attic room that can be used for the friend of a friend, or inlaw or whatever, to get someone through a winter, and that’s usually enough for someone to find work or to get onto one of the various programs for people in need.
The last truly homeless, as in not even temporary shelter, she died maybe five years ago? Before covid I know. She was not well mentally, and wouldn’t take medication, or much of anything. She stayed clear of any lawbreaking that the sheriff would have to take action over, and didn’t bother anybody. She’d mostly pick up odd jobs and stay in one of a few abandoned houses. That’s where she died. Had a stroke and that was that. One of the deputies found her while checking the property out on regular patrol.
As much as I have issues with organized religion, the churches also do a good job here, making sure that folks have basic clothes and some food, and the Methodist church has been known to open their basement for short term use. Doesn’t sound great, but it’s pretty well set up for “lock ins” or whatever they call them when you don’t actually lock the door. But basically overnight sleepovers for church members and their families. So it’s clean, dry, and there’s basic facilities.
But, yeah, compared to the city I lived in for a while, there’s a lot less long term homelessness for sure.