2024 Wichita-Sedgwick County Point-In-Time Homeless Count on Thursday, Jan. 25

WICHITA, Kan., Jan. 24, 2024 – The annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Homeless Count is a national effort undertaken once a year by professionals and volunteers to estimate the number of Americans who don’t have safe and stable housing. The results are reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to study national trends and as part of the HUD grant requirements. The count information is also used locally to make funding decisions, reach underserved persons and increase awareness about those who don’t have stable housing.

When:
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, from 5 a.m. to noon

Where:
Across Sedgwick County

Video/Photo Opportunities:

4:45 a.m.
The Veterans Administration (VA) team departs from Building 5 at the VA (5500 E. Kellogg). Media may conduct interviews with staff and ride-alongs may be arranged.
Contacts:

• Kenny Barker, Homeless Program Supervisor at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, 316-755-8745 (cell) or Kenny.Barker@va.gov
• Cole Schnieders, Continuum of Care Planning Manager with United Way of the Plains, 316-816-1723 (cell) or (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4214 (work), cschnieders@unitedwayplains.org

7 a.m. to Noon
A United Way of the Plains representative will be available for interviews about the count progress at the United Methodist Open Door (402 E. Second St). Media crews may enter through the Second Street entrance and should proceed to the conference room on the second floor.

Contacts:

• Deann Smith, Executive Director of the United Methodist Open Door, 316-990-5174 (cell) or 316-265-9371 (work), dsmith@umopendoor.org
• Matt Lowe, Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs at United Way of the Plains, 316-236-5243 (cell) or (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4233 (work), mlowe@unitedwayplains.org
• Cole Schnieders, Continuum of Care Planning Manager with United Way of the Plains, 316-816-1723 (cell) or (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4214 (work), cschnieders@unitedwayplains.org

Local Administration:
United Way of the Plains leads the Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County, the community coalition working to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring for all of our neighbors. The partner agencies in the coalition are leading this effort and will work with volunteers to conduct the 2024 Point-In-Time Homeless Count for the Wichita and Sedgwick County area. More than 160 volunteers have signed up to receive training and participate. The count results are reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for their national database and as part of their grant requirements. Members of the public who wish to report an encampment that should be counted during this event can text or call Cole Schnieders at this cell number: 316-816-1723

History:
The last Point-In-Time Homeless Count in Wichita-Sedgwick County was conducted for one 24-hour period on January 25-26, 2023. Check this link for more information about the 2023 count. Reports about past counts conducted across the nation can be found on the HUD EXCHANGE website at hudexchange.info.

United Way of the Plains submits the annual HUD grant application and manages the yearly process for funding homeless services in Sedgwick County. The Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County was awarded a $2.8 million HUD grant in 2023. United Way also manages the shared database that is used for case conferencing to match clients with needed resources. The coalition is managed by Matt Lowe, Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs, at United Way of the Plains.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Prather, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Community Engagement Officer, (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4105, aprather@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.