There are fewer homeless people in Virginia.
A new report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows a drop of 4% since last year.
The most recent count in this area was back in January. It showed a small increase in the number of homeless in the Roanoke Valley at 560 people.
But advocates say you need to look beyond the numbers. Places like the Trust House will tell you that every person is different and they're working hard to help them.
The Trust House in Roanoke is home for 27 people.
"I love it," says resident Karen Palmer, "It's companionship. We can talk amongst ourselves 31 Cause you know we all come from different things."
Karen Palmer has been here since April. She became homeless after the death of her husband last year. He was the breadwinner. Palmer is disabled and doesn't work. S
he ended up at the Rescue Mission and she had plenty of company.
In 2011 the Rescue Mission averaged 349 people at its shelter every night. So far this year, the number has fallen to an average of 314.
But on Tuesday night, it saw 355 men, women and children who needed help.
"The economy is still a big player because you can do everything right and still be unemployed," says CEO Joy Sylvester-Johnson.
The numbers are especially high at the Rescue Mission's free clinic.
Last year 14,000 people were seen. This year it's up to 20,000 people.
"The people that are here tend to have more significant issues," says Sylvester-Johnson, "We see a lot more patients in our clinic."
After six months at the Rescue Mission, Palmer came to Trust House which helps homeless people get back on their feet.
"Single women, a lot of single mothers and veterans, we serve veterans," says Director Ali Hamed-Moore.
"They worked with me," says Palmer, "I don't think I've been that easy to work with."
Palmer also has to do chores. She takes care of the bathroom.
The Trust House helped Palmer get regular disability checks and she's optimistic about the future.
"You just try you know you get out off the bed you gotta do something," says Palmer.
She hopes to have a place of her own next year.
