To meet the growing need of homeless people, Butler County Human Services now has a new post to coordinate its services for the homeless and those at risk of losing their homes.

The community housing coordinator will be the first county employee solely devoted to the program.

Amanda Feltenberger, county director of Service Integration and Quality Management, said the coordinator will use new resources to help those without homes or close to losing theirs.

“Options are shrinking as the need is growing,” she said.

The coordinator will ensure the county complies with new state and federal regulations, will seek grant funding and will build relationships with private partners such as landlords.

Feltenberger said the number of homeless has tripled in the county during the past four years.

The county now has roughly 1,200 homeless cases, individuals and families a year.

Feltenberger said that number does not count the people being served who are living in unstable housing situations.

The housing coordinator will be paid $21.79 an hour and will receive benefits.

Feltenberger expects to fill the post, which was approved Wednesday by the county salary board, by April.