By Cindy Schroeder
Enquirer staff writer

FLORENCE - Advocates will address the problem of chronic homelessness in Northern Kentucky at a forum Wednesday.

The gathering, sponsored by the Kentucky Council on Homeless Policy, Northern Kentucky Area Development District and the Northern Kentucky Housing and Homeless Coalition, is part of a national initiative to end chronic homelessness in 10 years. The goal is to get people off the streets who have been homeless at least a year or who have been in a shelter at least four times within two to three years.

"Here in Northern Kentucky, we're taking it one step further,'' said Michael Hurysz, human services specialist with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District. "We're trying to alleviate all homelessness, hopefully within 10 years.''

Organizers hope to draw homeless people, providers of services to the homeless, businesses, community and nonprofit groups and government agencies.

Any given day, about 300 people are homeless in the eight Northern Kentucky counties that include Boone, Kenton and Campbell, Hurysz said.

"It's not just the chronic homeless we're looking at, but the broad spectrum of people who are homeless or on the verge of being homeless - everyone from folks with substance abuse problems to victims of domestic violence to the working poor,'' Hurysz said.

People whose homes have burned are considered to be homeless, as are those who moved into the area with the hope of finding a job, only to be left without one, he said.

For years, Northern Kentucky homeless advocates have said there are too few shelter beds, especially for single men.

As part of the Bush administration's initiative to end chronic homelessness, Kentucky's state agencies and non-profit groups have met to coordinate homeless policies.

"We would just urge anyone who has an interest in helping alleviate homelessness to come to the community forum,'' Hurysz said. "We appreciate all input.''

If you go

What: Northern Kentucky community forum on ending chronic homelessness

When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Northern Kentucky Area Development District offices, 22 Spiral Dr., behind the Wal-Mart in Florence

Information: For details on the state effort, call (800) 633-8896, ext. 421, or visit www.homelesspolicyky.org. For information on local efforts, call Michael Hurysz at (859) 283-1885.

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E-mail chroeder@enquirer.com