More Than a Number: Surveying Those Who Experience Homelessness on the Streets

DETROIT, January 23, 2019 (Newswire.com) - On January 30, 2019, The Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) and the Detroit Continuum of Care (CoC), a network of homeless service providers, will join together to conduct a census of people who are living on the streets. Approximately 150 volunteers including street outreach teams, social workers, and community members will scour the 148 square miles of Detroit to find people who are living on the streets. This effort, known as the Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, provides a snapshot of homelessness on one night and helps the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and local agencies better understand the magnitude of homelessness. This count assists the community in identifying appropriate resources and measuring progress on Home Together, the federal plan to end homelessness.

According to the 2018 PIT Count, there are 1,769 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in Detroit. While many find relief in shelters or transitional housing programs, 158 people spend the cold winter nights living under freeway bridges, in cars, or wrapped in sleeping bags on the streets. Over the past year, the Detroit CoC has worked steadily to reach this highly vulnerable population through outreach efforts.

This January, volunteers will interview anyone found living on the streets and offer emergency shelter resources. Those interviewed will receive sleeping bag coats donated by the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, bagged lunches from the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, hygiene kits donated by World Medical Relief, hand and foot warmers from the Detroit Medical Center, safer sex kits from the Detroit Health Department, and a host of donated hats, gloves, and socks.

Quick Facts

·       2019 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count of unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness

·       January 30, 2018, from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M. Kickoff will begin at 9 P.M. at a space donated by NSO at the Bell Building, which is located at 882 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48204. Teams of volunteers will gather at this time to collect supplies before heading out to conduct count interviews.

·       Photo opportunities: Councilmember Sheffield, HUD, City of Detroit, and VA officials will welcome the teams and kick-off the start of the count at 9:30 P.M.

Contact: Tasha Gray (313)969-0186 tasha@handetroit.org

The Homeless Action Network of Detroit

Since 1996, the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) has served as the region’s leading resource on solutions to homelessness. Known as the Continuum of Care Lead, HAND is the only agency recognized by HUD to apply for homeless funding in Detroit. Due to our expertise, we secure over 25 million dollars annually in federal funds to be administered by local agencies. HAND helps to make ending homelessness a reality by securing funding, analyzing data, and driving change in our community.

Source: Homeless Action Network of Detroit