LISA HOBBS – News Editor
The organization Homeless of McMinnville Effort has released the Point-In-Time count numbers for 2026 which indicates that the number of homeless individuals in Warren County has dropped significantly since 2023.
“We are making a huge difference,” said HOME Executive Director Sheila Fann-Herrin. “Homelessness has declined here, because of our efforts. The PIT count showed us that we are on the right track. However, we’re just as busy as we have always been. Homelessness is a complex, systemic problem driven by multiple factors and there’s no quick fix. It is an issue that requires continued focus and we are committed to providing it.”
The Point-In-Time count, as it signifies, is a single night survey. It is conducted by HUD in late January of each year and provides a one-night snapshot of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.
According to the 2026 PIT for Warren County, there are 22 unsheltered people, 21 living in transitional housing, and 9 in emergency shelters: a total of 52 individuals. In 2023, prior to transitional housing being offered here, there were 74 unsheltered people and 19 in emergency shelters: a total of 93. In between those two years, 2024 had a total of 80 and 2025 had a total of 87 unsheltered and emergency sheltered individuals.
The organization uses Homeless Management Information System, a database, to better document who HOME serves. From Jan. 1, 2026, to Sept. 23, there have been 137 people served; 36 children and young adults under age 25; 67 percent positive housing outcomes among Transitional Housing exits; and eight or more program participants provided employment opportunities.
“The 36 people under age 25 included 24 children under 18 and 12 young adults ages 18-24. And in Transitional Housing, 12 to 18 exits moved to positive housing destinations. These aren’t just percentages to us; they represent people moving from crisis toward greater stability,” stated Fann-Herrin.
Over the past nine months, HOME has provided at least part-time employment opportunities to seven people who have participated in its programs.
Assisting in the organization’s efforts is a 2026 state grant through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) totaling $65,000. It was used for the database and establish a Street Outreach position, someone whose job is to consistently go into the community, engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, build relationships, and connect them to the next right step. In that position currently is Guy Sweatman.
Fann-Herrin shared instances that occurred on Friday, Oct. 2, and Monday, Oct. 5, in which Street Outreach assisted.
“We received a call from the police department on Friday. He [Sweatman] went to that guy, stabilized him, fed him and provided emergency shelter for one night. We purchased a bus ticket for him to get back to Nashville. He was staying with someone here and it didn’t work out, so he was basically stranded in McMinnville. Today, he worked on a case of a mother and four children that we had provided emergency shelter for last night. He worked with her today providing a lot of resources that she had no clue were out there and available for her and her children. We are really excited about that. These are the types of things we can do with this grant. So, we’re really excited.”
The HMIS database is being overseen by Toni Lloyd. Along with keeping records, it allows the organization to see where gaps exist. Since Jan. 1, it has recorded 52 situations in which a higher level of care was required and out of HOME’s scope of services – mainly due to untreated mental health needs and/or active substance use. And another 16 situations involving pets for which we could not accommodate, and 24 requests were from outside the service area. Those numbers were not included among the 137 people that HOME did assist.
HOME’s primary funding is through its thrift stores and café. Located at 1700/1704 Smithville Highway, the thrift stores and café help fund the mission, create local jobs, and keep necessities affordable. Most thrift clothing is priced between $1 and $4.
“Many times, we see families leave with about $40 worth of clothing; sometimes enough to clothe nearly an entire family. So, when you donate to HOME, your donation does more than help fund services for people experiencing homelessness. You are helping provide quality clothing and household necessities at prices local families can truly afford.”
HOME uses motel rooms to quickly house people. Fann-Herrin stated of that, “A motel room does not solve homelessness, but sometimes it buys the time needed to find the solution. As colder weather approaches, we know emergency motel assistance will continue to be needed. Community support can make an immediate difference. We can help cover the cost of an emergency motel room when shelter is unavailable or is not an appropriate placement.”
To help with emergency motel costs, checks can be mailed to HOME, P.O. Box 301, McMinnville TN 37110 and write “Motel Assistance” in the memo line. Venmo: @Home-37110 – please note “Motel Assistance.
“When I look at this year so far, I see more than numbers. I see people who had somewhere safe to sleep, children protected from the uncertainty of homelessness, people moving into housing, people earning paychecks, volunteers giving thousands of dollars’ worth of time, and HOME growing its ability to reach people living outside,” stated Fann-Herrin.