In 2020, 16 people in Lackawanna County were identified as unsheltered homeless. As of 2024, that number has risen to 49—a more than threefold increase. At the same time, sheltered homelessness has decreased. This raises an important question: Why would the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness go up while the sheltered population goes down? Why is unsheltered homelessness spiking?

Some ideas:

• A lack of shelter beds
• Increased addiction or mental illness
• The Economy
• Migration from other areas

What do you think?

This post is based on Point in Time Counts for HUD conducted by the Continuum of Care led by United Neighborhood Centers. Here is the 2020 HUD PIT Count Data. CoC_PopSub_CoC_PA-508-2020_PA_2020.pdf The 2024 data hasn't been loaded to HUD yet but here is the data from UNC and the Homeless Data Exchange: PA-508-2024-Point-In-Time-PIT.pdf

Just a photo I snapped over the summer, thought I'd share!

Anyone have any idea what ever happened to this building? i can’t find information anywhere, but i believe its been approved for 2.5 years but i haven’t drove by in a long time and have no idea if its even in the works. its located on 320 franklin ave in downtown scranton by John Basalgya. please let me know because im really curious about this😅

I’m looking for pet friendly apartment suggestions in Scranton and surrounding areas. Any areas to avoid? Thanks!

Weekend Round-Ups | DiscoverNEPA

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Lackawanna County Events this Weekend | VisitNEPA

Calendar | Go Lackawanna

Weekender | NEPA Music, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Culture News (theweekender.com)

Discover things to do this weekend in NEPA. Share your weekend plans.

Are you a local artist, maker, musician, or other creative? Plug your shows and exhibits.

Looking for a place to grab a bite or a drink? Ask here!

This is not a marketplace, no goods or services should be sold here but you can respond to requests for links to your shop/artwork.

Share some great local businesses that deserve a shout out.

This is also a place for casual chat. Feel free to share what's going on in your world, or to make Talkback 16 look positively sane.

Nothing of import to impart, just wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. If you’re not with people you love, I hope you get to do so soon. Enjoy the day!

I want to get out of the house this weekend for some socialization. Does anyone have any ideas for an evening out with good food and Live music? I'm an older guy and enjoy live music but so often it's a younger crowd and I sometimes feel out of place. I would love to hear what others are doing who are in a similar situation.

Anyone have any good/affordable recommendations for roofing companies?

The 33% property tax hike is likely going to be brutal for seniors who are retired and living on fixed incomes. Philly has this program where seniors (65+ and under a certain income) can “freeze” their property taxes so they don’t go up anymore. Seems like something worth considering here.

By my calculations this might cost the county around a million dollars a year in lost revenue. Not exactly pocket change, but there could be ways to cover it—like state programs, grants, or even ARPA funds to get it started.

This would help seniors stay in their homes and keeps neighborhoods stable. What do you all think?

I’m looking for folks involved in the Cosplay community and was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction?

I know there’s a Comic Book Store in Scranton but I hadn’t had much luck. Thank you!

Looking for a good groomer for my dog in the area, preferably not a chain but gif you had a good experience with a petsmart or something along those lines I’m not ruling them out. Thank you!

Anyone know of a place in Scranton or nearby that holds events for SF6? Or a place to just chill and play with new people?

Hello,

I recently moved to the Scranton area from NY. I went to college in south PA but I moved here by myself since it is so much cheaper but I’ve been kinda lonely for a while now.

Does anyone have resources for finding good social gatherings or clubs (i.e., Running clubs, birdwatching communities, etc.) to join? I’m trying to integrate myself into the community and meet people but for some reason I feel so awkward

Note: When I say clubs I mean like social activities. I’m not a big drinker and I enjoy ‘older’ people activities like birdwatching, reading, etc.😂

I’m not sure what to do, a Canada goose appeared there about 2 months ago, I think it’s not able to fly.

it mostly minded its own business at first but now it’s seems more stressed.

Some people are feeding it , someone built a shelter. But I’ve also watched people chasing the goose or letting their dog approach and harass.

Who do I call and is it pointless?

*the picture is off of google

I'm on a mission to take my nieces (13 and 17) to every beautiful place I can. Like awe-inspiring, memorable, jaw dropping beauty.

Please share breathtaking sights within driving distance of Scranton.

Stuff like- cathedrals, parks, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, forests, etc. Also, restaurants, stores, spas, festivals, etc.

Thank you in advance!

My son and his family including a 2 year old and 5 year old live in Scranton pa his landlord won’t answer his calls HES HAS NO HEAT for 2 days the maintenance guy who spoke no English said it’s working no one once to touch it because it’s natural gas. Please who can he reach out to ??? Thank you

Does anyone know how much snow we got yesterday?

My sister lived in Dickson City two blocks from the Giant for 20 years until she moved. There was a random emu people would see and take pics of. Wondering if other people have heard about this or have pictures

There's 2 shows at Mohegan arena.

Hello fine people - I will be in the Scranton area for about eight hours in mid-December with my midsize Old English Bulldog. I have a car. I'm picking someone up at the airport at about midnight and will get into town about 4 pm.

I know I'll be hanging out in the car at the end of this time frame, but earlier in the afternoon/evening, are there any dog-friendly locales?

I'm just looking for things to do to pass the time, doesn't have to be quality stuff or tourist stuff - just things to do to get out of the car with my dog.

Most dog-friendly restaurants probably don't have outdoor seating at this point in the year. I think Lowe's is dog-friendly? Are there other places?

Thanks very much!

pic of doggo for awwww value...

https://preview.redd.it/pbnetdyg6h2e1.jpg?width=1476&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70276d3ef6c595b7b6fabd46faa4c628fd92bb0a