Point-in-Time Count is Looking for Volunteers

The annual Point-In-Time homeless count, which provides the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) a “snapshot” of Chicago’s homeless population, will be 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday, January 23. The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the count be conducted on the street every two years, but Chicago finds that data gathered annually is more useful to demonstrate the need for federal funding, for service and resource planning, and to raise public awareness about homelessness.

Volunteers are instrumental in participating on teams that canvass the entire city in just a few hours. Training and materials are provided that night. If you are interested in volunteering and have not previously volunteered for the Point-In-Time Homeless Count, please visit www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss.html and click on FAQ.

To register, please go to : https://www.surveymonkey.com/ r/2020homelesscount or email homelesscount@cityofchicago.org

The City conducts a homeless count in order to receive federal homeless funding from HUD. Chicago and the continuum of homeless service providers must demonstrate need by collecting data on how many persons experience homelessness on one given night. The count includes a tally and survey of every homeless person in shelters and a canvass of streets and public spaces for those unsheltered.

Every volunteer will receive training on the night of the count. You do not need experience to volunteer. Anyone over age 18 is qualified.

Volunteers will be trained and divided into teams between 9 and 10 p.m. Teams will be dispatched after 10 p.m. to cover their assigned areas and will usually require several hours, so that they will not typically return to their site until 2 or 2:30 a.m.

Teams are instructed not to separate under any circumstances or to venture alone or to enter any abandoned building or nonpublic space. Volunteers will be partnered into teams of four or five, with at least one experienced team member. They will spend the evening traveling by car and on foot. If you do not have a car, you may still volunteer and will be assigned to a team with a volunteer who has a car.

Unfortunately, volunteers are not paid or reimbursed for any expenses, such as transportation to and from the site location. They are encouraged to bring layers of warm clothing for themselves, including gloves and a hat in case of snow and wet weather. A clipboard, flashlight, and pencils to use with the forms are also helpful. For their own and their team’s safety, they should not bring any large sums of money, items/food to pass out to people who are homeless, or other valuables. Other questions or concerns? Contact homelesscount@cityofchicago.org or call 312-746-8864.

–Suzanne Hanney, from online source