RALEIGH (AP) ó Advocates expect a spike in North Carolinaís homeless population when the results of this weekís statewide count have been totaled next month.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that the stateís homeless population has been around 11,000 for years. But numbers seem to be on the rise as a slumping economy affects more people.
Volunteers around the state checked parks and bridges and looked into homeless camps in the woods to get a number of those without shelter.
Durham Urban Ministries director Peter Donlon says his group has seen a 40 percent increase in women and children needing a place to sleep.
Homeless advocates will use the numbers to seek federal funds to help those people.

Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com