According to a 2008 survey by the Social Impact Research Center, the level of poverty in Champaign County rose from 16 percent in 2000 to 20.2 percent in 2008. With this rise in homelessness across the county, Champaign community members said it does not have the resources necessary to assist the homeless.

From Daily Illini:

It has been about two months since Latasha Davis moved into The Church of Saint Mary's in Champaign.

Before then, Davis, representative for the Safe Haven temporary community for homeless people, said she was living "anywhere she could."

According to a 2008 survey by the Social Impact Research Center, the level of poverty in Champaign County rose from 16 percent in 2000 to 20.2 percent in 2008.

With this rise in homelessness across the county, Champaign community members said it does not have the resources necessary to assist the homeless.

"It seems like with the homeless here, they (the city) put you on the back burner," said David Nash, council member for Safe Haven.

The city of Urbana is willing to help members of Safe Haven find a location to live, recommending eight-by-eight foot collapsible units called "micro houses."

"It's a quick and easy thing to put together, living wise," Nash said. "Its collapsible in case you have to move."

Davis said Safe Haven provides a community to tenants, rather than being just a shelter.

"We were homeless, but we formed a community of people that can rise above homelessness," Davis said.

Nash said other centers serve as "emergency shelters," as opposed to Safe Haven's community atmosphere.

Davis said many local homeless shelters in the Champaign area have been turning individuals away due to constraints such as space.