Over the next two weeks, volunteers all across the country will venture into their communities to conduct a count of people experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires every jurisdiction in the country to complete the Point-in-Time count, and accompanying survey, every two years.  The goal of the count is to identify individuals and families experiencing homelessness and connect them to housing and supportive services. The Baltimore survey is organized by the Homeless Services Program in the Mayor’s Office of Human Services and will occur Sunday, January 22 through Wednesday, January 25.

Health Care for the Homeless staff will participate in the overnight count on Sunday and Monday nights, and the day count on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Staff and volunteers will work together to help our clients complete the survey. To be eligible, a client must be sleeping on the streets on the night of Sunday, January 22 and not have taken the survey previously. Each client will receive a $10 gift card upon completion.

Staff at Health Care for the Homeless recognize that this count does not accurately reflect the true number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Baltimore City. We participate, however, to ensure that the survey be as inclusive and client-focused as possible, based on the knowledge and experience of day-to-day service providers and our clients.