Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Several local organizations who serve the City’s homeless population turned out at Tuesday night’s Council of the Whole meeting to discuss the work that they do.

Heartland Housed Executive Direct Josh Sabo explained his agency’s role in the continuum of care, which is says is funded by Housing and Urban Development. Heartland Housed only covers Sangamon County.

Tracy Cunningham of Mercy Communities spoke to the Council, especially to the alderman who say they haven’t received information regarding the number of homeless. Cunningham said she has sent monthly reports for years to the City’s Office of Planning and Economic Development Director Val Yazell. She added that she has not received any information requests from City Council members but would be able to provide any information they might request.

Washington Street Mission Director and Heartland Housed board member Jarid Brown says his organization is doing all it can to help. He noted the mission served 143,000 people last year, and averages 164 people each day. He also noted that many of his employees were once themselves homeless, and often devote their off house to feeding the homeless.

However, the picture is less positive for seniors at Sangamon Towers, located near Washington Street Mission and the St. John’s Breadline. Home Health Worker Kayla Watson, who’s worked at Sangamon Towers for over a decade, says residents are often harassed, robbed, beaten, and even shot at by homeless who stay at the Mission or use the Breadline. She added that they have even had patio furniture stolen, people camping in the lobby, and some people have even entered the apartments of the seniors who live there.