Ohio’s most populous county sees 43% increase in unsheltered homelessness, according to report

Ohio’s most populous county sees 43% increase in unsheltered homelessness, according to report

File photo by Paul Bradbury/Getty Images. Franklin County’s annual Point-in-Time Count identified 2,587 people experiencing homelessness — a 1.2% increase from 2025.  Sheltered homelessness decreased by 8% with 165 fewer people in emergency shelters and transitional housing, but unsheltered homelessness increased 43% — from 455 in 2025 to 651 in 2026, according to the point-in-time count.  “We’re seeing more people forced to live outside in enca…