CHICAGO - This may come as a shock to commuters who see panhandlers on every Loop corner, but a city census of people living on the street in the downtown area has produced a surprisingly low number: 24. The downtown count was released on the same day Mayor Daley claimed homelessness across the city was down 12 percent — from 6,715 in January 2005 to 5,922 at the same time this year — marking progress in his 10-year Plan to End Homelessness. Homeless advocates maintain the actual nightly homeless population is 21,078 because of an “invisible” group that includes people “doubled-up” with relatives and friends. Two months ago, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that City Hall was conducting a census of people living on downtown streets with an eye toward getting them the permanent housing and support services they need. The 15-week “foot poll” found an average of 92 people on the streets at the noon hour, some panhandling, others just wandering around. But only 24 of those people were sleeping downtown when the weekly count was conducted again at 5 a.m. Full Story - Luggage OnLine
