Social Services officials say the homeless population is increasing, but at a lower rate than last year.

But, she added, "It would probably only increase the homeless population."

They also said their study was not intended to include the county's homeless population.

They workers will be trying to obtain a count of the homeless population.

There was also a swell in the area's homeless population.

Before the 1980s the homeless population was mostly composed of men.

The county's homeless population of 4,500 is the highest per capita in the state.

The federal government says veterans account for about a third of the country's homeless population.

"One community can't support the entire homeless population of the county," he said.

"What we're really talking about is the homeless population, and we all have to put our heads together to address that," he said.