United Way to coordinate annual point-in-time homeless count; VA providing outreach in early morning hours

Event: Point-in-Time Homeless Count

When: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019
Primary shifts for on-the-streets volunteers: 5 – 8 a.m.; 8 a.m. – Noon and 1 – 5 p.m.

Where: Across the Wichita metro area. Volunteers will leave from United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water, Wichita at about 8 a.m. and Noon. The count will also be conducted throughout the day at area homeless shelters.

Background:

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Continuum of Care (WSC-CoC) coalition of community organizations is conducting the homeless count for Sedgwick County. United Way of the Plains is the lead organization of the WSC-CoC and is providing coordination for the count.

Volunteers will be paired with experienced Homeless Street Outreach providers to go into the community to complete surveys with persons experiencing homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires annual counts of individuals in homeless shelters and biannual counts (on odd years) of all homeless in communities applying for federal grants for homeless services. Communities need accurate data on homelessness to determine the size and scope of the homeless problem at the local level, plan services and programs appropriately to address local needs, and measure progress in addressing homelessness.

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