The homeless problem has reached epidemic proportions. Its effects are felt right here in DeKalb.

Last year an estimated 160 people stayed at DeKalb’s homeless shelter, Public Action to Deliver Shelter, or PADS. The shelter, which reopens next week, had a training session for volunteers last week. The meeting was opened by newly hired director of the shelter, Joe Vigneux.

Vigneux stated the seriousness and magnitude of the problem, saying, “Conservative estimates suggest there are 300,000 to 400,000 homeless individuals in the United States.”

Vigneux said that since many homeless are not counted in a census, “there may actually be as many as two to three million individuals who are homeless. By the year 2010, some estimates say there will be 19 to 20 million people who have no home of their own.”

Rachel McKeel, PADS public relations coordinator, said one reason for the growing homeless problem is the lack of affordable housing. McKeel said while the economy seemed strong during the 1980s, “the rich got richer and the poor got poorer.”

McKeel said even though the shelter will recieve some federal funding, most of its budget comes from contributions from individuals and organizations.

In the past, the shelter has used between 300 and 400 volunteers a year. Duties of the volunteers include helping the guests with their individual needs, washing clothes and bedding, serving food, fixing sack lunches and taking phone messages.

Anyone wishing to volunteer or help in some other way with the shelter can call the PADS hotline at 748-6437. The shelter will hold another training session for volunteers Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.