Brian Walker, Communications Manager, 509.655.1387
Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 12:48 p.m.
The 2023 Point-in-Time Count that provides an annual snapshot estimate of the homeless population in communities nationwide is Jan. 24-29 throughout Spokane County.
More than 100 volunteers will be needed for the count. Volunteers can sign up at My.SpokaneCity.org. Volunteers work in teams surveying individuals and families using an app on their phone. Day shifts are available Jan. 25-29 during the unsheltered portion of the count.
A one-hour online training prior to the count is required. Training dates/times are: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2-3 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 20, noon to 1 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan. 21, 9-10 a.m.
For more information on the PIT Count, visit https://my.spokanecity.org/endinghomelessness/point-in-time-count/ or email Kimberly Babb at kbabb@spokanecity.org.
As a recipient of federal and state funds supporting homeless services, communities are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct counts of sheltered and unsheltered populations. Surveys are conducted by government agency staffs and community volunteers.
“The count is one way of defining our regional need and ensures that our community receives its fair share of federal funds for homeless services that can be directed to where they are most impactful in an individual’s journey out of homelessness,” said Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward.
Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley said the Point-in-Time Count will help her City Council understand the scope and trends related to local homelessness.
“Understanding how many people in our community are experiencing homelessness, and the circumstances and barriers they may be facing, is critical to formulating an effective response,” Haley said. “Without data, we’re speculating.”
Data from the countywide count contributes to several ways people are moved into permanent housing as the survey shows how many people are homeless, who is living in homelessness, barriers and information that can impact the design of new programs. Participating in the survey is voluntary; names are kept confidential.
“Collecting this data is critical in the effort to provide high-impact, high-value solutions for those experiencing homelessness,” said Daniel Ramos III, the City’s Community Management Information System (CMIS) Administrator. “It is also an important community engagement event to help raise awareness on the issue. Ultimately, these efforts are all going toward ending homelessness in Spokane County.”
The count of the sheltered population will be Jan. 24, followed by the unsheltered population for up to five days afterward. Data from the count is expected to be released in late spring. HUD requires that PIT counts be conducted in compliance with HUD counting standards and related methodology.
The City works with several partners on the count, including the regional Continuum of Care, shelters, other nonprofits and jurisdictions, community members and college professors and graduate students.
A total of 1,757 people were counted during the 2022 count.
Homeless Connect, which provides services to homeless individuals and serves as a survey location for the PIT Count, will be Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center.
