Carbon County is hoping to reorganize a task force that aimed to help the homeless population in the county.

During the county commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, Commissioner Wayne Nothstein spoke about the issue of homelessness and how it affects some of the county residents.

He cited a camp, commonly known as Tent City, along the Lehigh River in between Weissport and Lehighton, which has approximately 20 homeless people living in that area. An accidental death was also reported there Wednesday evening.

Carbon County Coroner Mark Smith said Michael Keiper, 45, was pronounced dead at 8:33 p.m. by Chief Deputy Coroner Jason Smith.

Nothstein said that he is working to get the homeless task force back up and operating in the county. The group, which hasn’t met since 2019, fell to the wayside after leadership moved out of the area.

“We just can’t throw them out in the street because they’re just going to move to another street. We’re working and putting a list (of agencies) together,” Nothstein said, adding that he would like to have a task force meeting soon.

The group would focus on include building resource networks for those who are homeless and face addiction, mental health problems, affordable housing and lack of public transportation.

Commissioners’ Chairman Michael Sofranko said that the board of commissioners is trying to help address the issues and come up with solutions to help those who want to be helped. It was noted that not all homeless people want to be helped.

Nothstein said that the homeless Point In Time county is coming up, scheduled for Jan. 24 and 25 and voiced that this is a bad time to have it due to those who need homes are couch surfing with friends or staying with family or friends.

“Unfortunately, when people show up to do the count, people disappear,” he said. “They do not want to be counted.”

Kayla Semmel, county prothonotary and a board member of Carbon County Family Promise, said that shelters like Family Promise, which is located in Nesquehoning, will be holding warming stations during the count to allow those in need to come in, warm up, get something to eat and learn about help that is available to them.

“It’s also very important that if people in our community are aware of places like Tent City and thing like that, that they get the information to the proper people that can make sure those people are counted and getting the resources that they need,” she said.

Semmel stressed that if you know of someone facing homelessness to contact Family Promise or the commissioners and they would try to get the resources they need to help them.

Nothstein added that in addition to Family Promise, Peaceful Knights in Lehighton will work as a warming station Jan. 24 and 25.

One thing Sofranko stressed was to not take matters into your own hands.

“You notice postings on social media, take coats, take jackets, take food, but please take them to places like Family Promise or Peaceful Knights where they can administer it properly,” he said. “Because I’m going to say two things. One it is not safe sometimes because you don’t know what you’re walking into and number two, the only way we can get these people help is if they come to us.”

Semmel added that in addition to people taking matters into their own hands to clothe and feed the homeless can also become a safety issue since they don’t know what to expect at these camps.

“It’s just all around important to make sure that you’re contacting the right people,” she said.

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Family Promise - Carbon County is collecting men’s hats and gloves to distribute during the point in time count. The organization will also be providing personal hygiene products, blankets and snacks. The office is located at 140 West Mill St., Nesquehoning. Call: 610-379-4757 for information.