Homeless count set for Jan. 22

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness published a national strategic plan to effectively end homelessness called "Home, Together." The updated plan places emphasis on the homeless experience on being rare, brief, and one time. For the homeless person or family, the only true end to homelessness is a safe and stable place to call home.

Communities across the United States conduct a homeless point in time (PIT) count, which is designed to provide a snapshot of a region's sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations. This vital information is used to assess need and to help leverage resources to prevent and end homelessness throughout our community.

On average, more than 550,000 people experience homelessness in the United States on any given night. To put this into perspective, this number is very close to the total population of the 18 counties within the Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee (HART) Continuum of Care region.

HART is now preparing to conduct its 2019 point in time count of persons experiencing homelessness and is coordinating a street count of homeless individuals to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Local volunteers and social service agency staff will go into the community to gather information on the homeless population. Your help is needed and appreciated in this community effort.

So, how can you help? If you can could help counting homeless in your community that are living on the street, in their vehicle, tent, or other place not meant for human habitation; or simply can provide us with information on where they might be expected on the night of the 22nd, please contact us. Your help is crucial to the accuracy and success of the count. Please contact HART at (931) 484-3207 or email: burdett.hmis@gmail.com. Additional information about homelessness and HART is found at: www.hartn.org.