GRAYSON COUNTY, TX -- Homelessness is a problem most people associate with big cities like Dallas or Houston, but the truth of the matter is that there are many people living without a permanent residence in rural areas as well. Josh Stevenson takes a look at what Texoma residents are doing to help those without a place to live.

The word “homelessness” often brings to mind images of someone pushing a shopping cart, dressed in rags, or perhaps someone sleeping on a park bench. But the reality is that someone who has lost their home looks just like everybody else. That makes it hard to figure out just how many people in Texoma are homeless.

Vicky Penn works with the North Texas Youth Connection, an organization that provides shelter for homeless, abused, and runaway teens. Penn says that homelessness is prevalent in Texoma, and with a troubled economy the problem isn't getting any better.

"All of the local shelters are full. That means there are people on the street. We might not see then huddled over a barrel with a fire in it, but they are located all throughout our area," Penn says.

"Homelessness is a much bigger problem in Texoma than anyone realizes."

The Texas Homeless Coalition is a group of providers and agencies in a six county region that serve the homeless in a variety of ways. The group meets once a month to discuss ways to improve their services so that they can offer more aid to the homeless and people at risk of becoming homeless.

Clayton Travis is Texoma Homeless Coalition liaison. He says part of the problem is getting people to recognize what constitutes homelessness.

"You have a lot of homeless people who aren't considered to be homeless by the public. They are shacking up with a friend, or moving every month. All of these are considered HUD definitions of homelessness," Travis says.

Part of the coalitions focus is getting people to recognize that there is a real need in Texoma made even harder because the need isn't always that easy to see.

"Being rural it is a little harder to see them, but just because you can’t see them doesn't mean that they are not out there."

Organizations who are working to help the homeless are always in need of monetary donations, but they are just as happy to accept donations of your time. There are several in our area to chose from. If you would like to give a donation or volunteer, the United Way of Grayson County can point you in the right direction. If you or someone you know is without a place to stay or in danger of losing your home, the fastest, easiest way to get in touch with someone who can help, is to pick up the phone and dial 211.