Estimates are that about 50 homeless people live on the streets and in the woods of Wareham. Yet, when temperatures dipped into the single digits on Friday night, only two individuals sought shelter through the inter-faith Nights of Hospitality program.

With no reports of tragedy in the arctic night, observers can only speculate where the others went.

David Shaw, pastor of the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene on Rogers Avenue credited the holiday spirit.

“This week, we had New Year’s. On those kind of nights, people are more willing to open up their homes to others,” he said, suggesting that the homeless found warmth with friends or family. “There’s a sentimental kind of mentality around these holidays."

Shaw estimates that there are somewhere between 50 and 60 people who are "chronically homeless" in town -- living on the street or "couch surfing" among residences of friends and family.

In a year, Shaw says the churches will get between 30 and 35 unique visitors to the shelters. But, only half will use the shelters consistently.

“There are people who intentionally don’t take advantage of the shelter,” said Shaw.

Beyond staying with friends and family, Shaw provided several reasons for the lack of participation.

“I think there are some people with an arrest history or outstanding warrants,” said Shaw. “There can be a mother with kids hiding from the” department of Social Services.

“There are also women who are afraid for their personal safety,” said Shaw.

“It takes a while for them to warm up to you and know that you're not going to intrude into their life,” said volunteer Jimmy Rawlings. "They like that consistency of seeing the same people there.”

Shaw added there was a man he has known for 12 years who does not want to “deal with people.”

Shaw said there is a population who prefer to be homeless.

“That makes them no less a person,” said Shaw. “If we’re not going to find fault with someone living in a $2 million house, then we shouldn’t judge someone living in a tent in the woods.”

While there may be a group who prefer to be homeless, Shaw added that everyone in the homeless community still deserve care and attention.

Shaw said the Wareham Clergy Association wanted to find a more permanent solution to the homeless problem and create a year round shelter. They formed the Wareham Leadership Council to Prevent and End Homelessness, searching for subsidized housing for the homeless population.

"That's really the solution to the problem," Shaw said.

He said the council is preparing to publish a report in the coming months about the ability of local organizations to provide wrap-around services for the homeless.

“These are our own residents even though they may not pay taxes or have a Wareham address,” said Shaw.  “It’s about the health of the community. If we’re going to shoot our wounded, what does that say about us?”