Every year, local agencies and organizations in Comal County conduct a count to determine the extent of homelessness in the community. According to the Comal County Homeless Coalition, the survey is conducted throughout the state and country.
The coalition is seeking volunteers to help survey unhoused individuals. Two-person teams will conduct surveys of people experiencing homelessness in selected areas on the morning of Jan. 26.
Volunteers will be provided information such as whom and where to count, how to use the mobile app and more to conduct the survey during a short training session.
“Community support and awareness for this project are so important not only in terms of volunteer recruitment, but also to create awareness and understanding about this very vulnerable population in our area,” said Bethany Benson from Gruene United Methodist Church, who is also a member of the PIT Count Committee.
The count helps nonprofit agencies and organizations understand how homelessness changes over time across numerous variables, such as economic conditions, societal factors and policy advancement. It also allows organizations to spread awareness, engage and build relationships with unhoused neighbors, according to the Coalition.
Residents interested in volunteering can contact Benson at [email protected] or visit www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094eaaaa22a0ffcf8-point.
To learn more about the point-in-time count, visit www.thn.org/texas-balance-state-continuum-care/data/pit-count-and-hic.
