The Point In Time Count of homeless individuals in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle will take place on January 28th. Volunteers will survey various locations where homeless individuals are known to gather, including shelters, soup kitchens, and homeless camps.
The count, which is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD, helps assess the needs of the homeless population.
Survey questions primarily focus on basic demographic information like age, gender, ethnicity, and the duration of homelessness. Some questions touch on more sensitive topics, such as sexual orientation, physical or mental disabilities, and substance use, though individuals are not required to answer those questions.
Claudia Raymer, Executive Director of the Ohio County Family Resource Network, emphasized the importance of counting individuals in non-traditional living situations, such as tents or cars, to ensure comprehensive support and funding.
Survey volunteers work in three-hour shifts, and while individuals’ names are recorded for the count, they are kept anonymous in the HUD report.
Participants are not obligated to take part if they choose not to. Many homeless individuals are familiar with the count process and generally agree to participate.