The city may see a more than 40-percent increase in homelessness through last year.

Sue Guio, coordinator of City of DeKalb Continuum of Care, 223 S. Fourth St., said there were 102 individuals in DeKalb who identified as such in 2007.

“In 2008, the numbers are expected to be around 145,” Guio said.

This equals a 42-percent increase.

Guio said the weather could have an impact on the number of homeless in DeKalb.

“Homeless individuals have been more visible around the city due to having a colder winter this year compared to previous ones,” she said.

She also sees the economy affecting the increase.

“The economy is having people hovering on the brink of homelessness,” Guio said. “When the economy goes bad, more people become unemployed, and they are not able to pay their bills resulting in them losing their homes.”

DeKalb Police Cpl. Joe Espy said police work alongside several agencies to help the homeless.

“We have an agreement with Hope Haven to help get people shelter and a place to sleep,” Espy said.

Espy said DeKalb Police also work with other agencies including local churches and the Salvation Army.

Leslie Wicks, director of Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmoore Drive, said the increase has created problems for the agency.

“We’re currently at our capacity, at 91, of taking people in and having a waiting list for those who are trying to get in,” Wicks said.

Wicks said they have to turn people away when they’re at capacity but make exceptions during cold weather conditions.

“When it’s cold enough for someone to get frostbite, we take in anybody who needs a place to stay no matter what,” she said. “When we’re out of places for people to sleep, we have to stay in the dining room so they at least have a place to stay warm.”

Guio said the increase also has taken a toll on those who help the homeless.

“There’s been more stress on agencies who provide services for homelessness due to the increased population,” she said.

Continuum of Care’s main focus is to decrease homelessness in DeKalb, Guio said.

“We identify those who are homeless and those who are threatened of becoming homeless,” she said. “We do this by identifying the cause and hope that we can break the barrier of homelessness.”

Guio said once they identify the cause, the organization works to help the person.

“We help through counseling and those who have financial issues by helping them get a better job,” she said.

There also is a misconception about homeless people — that all of them do not work, Guio said.

“A lot of people who are homeless work but don’t make enough money to live in a home,” she said.