The annual, federally mandated count of homeless people will take place Jan. 24-25; volunteers and donations needed.
by Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
Each year, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the local Continuum of Care—the network of organizations that provides services to those without permanent housing—conducts the annual Point-in-Time count of the area’s homeless population.
According to the George Washington Regional Commission, which staffs the Fredericksburg Area Continuum of Care, data collected during the count—which takes place on one overnight period in late January— helps communities understand changes in trends among homeless populations; adjust the types of programs and services available; justify requests for additional resources and/or programming modifications; raise public awareness about the issue of homelessness; and measure community progress toward preventing and ending homelessness.
This year’s count will be conducted on the night of January 24 into the following morning, and the commission is seeking both volunteers to help and items to donate to unhoused neighbors.
Volunteers are needed to conduct the survey at Micah’s Cold Weather Shelter the night of January 24 and in the early morning and during the day on January 25. Volunteers attend a training session and can sign up here.
In addition, the CoC is conducting a donation drive for the night of the count. Requested items include socks; hats; gloves; hand and foot warmers; warm blankets; first aid kits; hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, full-size shampoo and conditioner, and feminine products; packaged foods and bottled water.
People can drop off items at the George Washington Regional Commission building at 406 Princess Anne Street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. now through January 20.
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