A survey in January showed at least 52 homeless people subsist somewhere in Fayette County, 40 of them children.

Of these, the majority were homeless due to domestic violence, illness, foreclosure, or drug and alcohol abuse. Another factor cited was substandard housing, where there was no water or heat at the former residences.

Most of the adults in the survey ranged from 20 to 66 years of age, with the mean average at 40 years. One man was in a class by himself: 80 years old and a veteran of World War II.

There were 40 children in the group.

Every other January, the federal and state governments take a survey of the homeless in America. This past January, Fayette County participated for the first time. The Rev. Diane V. Collins headed the survey, contacting all the service organizations and consulting with the city and county law enforcement. Churches were also contacted.

The proper survey forms were distributed and 52 of them were returned. This does not mean that there are only 52 homeless in Fayette County. It only means that 52 homeless persons sought help.

Only initials were used and the questions all reflected where they were and what their circumstances were on Jan. 29.

The surveys were then sent to Kennesaw State University to be compiled with other counties in Georgia.

Many people who need help have no idea where to go. Even if a young mother with small children, who has been abandoned by her husband, is told DFACS will help her, she’s still in a quandary. She has no way to get there, and besides, just where is it?

The Rev. Collins has established a one on one contact with local law enforcement. Several weeks ago a Peachtree City policeman called her concerning a young man.

He had a part-time job, and was living in a condo with a man who had a full-time job. The condo caught fire, and they had to move to a motel, when the older man became ill and was hospitalized. The younger man could not afford the motel stay, and at night, would sneak back into the burned condo to sleep.

Neighbors spotted him and, not realizing who he was, called the police. Instead of telling the young man to “move on,” police called the Rev. Collins, who was able to assist the young man.

She heads the Agape Faith Ministry, whose board consists of local citizens. If you see someone wearing a green ribbon, they can tell you about the state of the homeless in Fayette County.