Eddy House, the local shelter for people ages 18-24, has seen a sudden increase in demand for beds this season.
In 2022, 361 individuals slept there. As of Dec. 19, the number for 2023 was already at 489—and trending upward.
“Typically, while we see some steady numbers over the fall and winter, we don’t see an increase like we’ve seen over the last few weeks,” said CEO Trevor Macaluso.
Demand tends to spike in the spring and summer, when kids aging out of the foster system finish high school. Clients who’ve previously been in unsafe homes or relationships tend to leave those situations in warmer-weather months.
So why the winter surge? Macaluso has a few hypotheses. Rent prices continue to climb, and according to a December report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in 2023 is up 12 percent over 2022.
Also, more people than ever are arriving at Eddy House without GEDs or high school diplomas.
“I really do believe it’s a lagging effect of COVID, that when schools shut down and reopened, these are the youth who didn’t go back to school,” said Macaluso. “So, now they’re turning 18. They’ve gotten nowhere to go, and they’re coming to us.”
Eddy House is asking the community for donations to help support its additional clients, as well items such as hygiene supplies and clean underwear and socks, which can be dropped off at 888 Willow St., in Reno, or purchased via an Amazon wish list.