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WASHINGTON ? Homelessness in Washington, D.C., has increased six years in a row to more than 16,000 people without adequate or secure housing. Addressing this issue was the 19th annual Fannie Mae Foundation 5K Help the Homeless Walkathon Nov. 18.

Among the estimated 25,000 to 30,000 walkers on the crisp fall day, was the Rev. David Myers, pastor of St. Luke?s UMC. The church offers six months of housing to a small group of men.

In 2005, the Walkathon raised more than $7.8 million to help prevent and end homelessness.

Having so many walkers join in 'was an incredible witness to the problem,' Myers told the Washington Post. Uncounted numbers of other United Methodists were among the walkers, raising money for the 180 organizations in the Washington area working to end homelessness.

Less than 15 percent of the homeless actually live on the street, according to the Post. The other 85 percent are sustained by a network of shelters and other forms of housing, like that at St. Luke?s and Metropolitan Memorial UMC. More than 40 percent of the homeless are in families, said the Fannie Mae Foundation; one-third are children. Nearly a third of the region?s homeless are employed, but do not make enough to keep their families fed, have medicine and pay rent.