Volunteers sought for annual count to ID those experiencing homelessness in Hays County

Volunteers are being sought for help conducting an annual point-in-time, or PIT, count to collect data on the homeless population in Hays County to take place Jan. 27 from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Hays County Homeless Coalition coordinates the annual count with the Texas Homeless Network and other organizations to identify needs in the community.

During last year’s January count, 107 individuals were counted as experiencing homelessness, most of whom resided in or around San Marcos.

Volunteers are being accepted through Jan. 20, and trainings will be held at the San Marcos Public Library, 625 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos. Anyone wishing to assist in the PIT count will need to attend a training. So far two trainings are planned for Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. and Jan. 20 at 11:30 a.m., and more are expected to be scheduled.

“The one-hour training provides volunteers with the strategies they need to respectfully deliver a PIT count survey. Volunteers can choose to be a driver for their team, a spotter who helps locate the unsheltered people we will want to survey or the person who completes the survey using a digital app,” said Nancy Heintz, coordinator for the PIT count, in an email.

“We will talk about specific roles volunteers can select as an assigned team member. We also will give information about safety, how the survey works, what to wear and general logistics,” Heintz said.

Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to email Heintz at [email protected].

Correction: This story was updated to reflect that the Hays County Homeless Coalition leads the coordination of the PIT count.