The Loudoun County Continuum of Care is preparing to conduct the annual Point-in-Time Count of people in the community experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness on the night of Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
The Point-in-Time Count, which is conducted locally and nationally, is intended to provide a single-day snapshot of a community’s homeless population as well as households that may be on the brink of becoming homeless. “The count is one way to collectively understand the scope and breadth of the number of persons who are faced with challenging housing situations ranging from rental eviction to homelessness,” said Loudoun County Department of Family Services Director Glenda Blake.
During the count, members of the Continuum of Care along with staff from local nonprofits will canvass the county to assist anyone who is unsheltered by providing resources, non-perishable food and other needed items the night of January 23 and the morning of January 24, 2019. Local law enforcement personnel and mental health clinicians will also assist with outreach efforts across the county.
Key benefits of the count include:
- Community-Wide Assessment: The Point-in-Time Count includes outreach to a wide range of demographics including young adults ages 18-24, veterans, people over 60, families and others.
- Program Development: Results from the Point-in-Time Count contribute to data-driven decision-making for specific types of housing needs and areas of program development.
- Increased Awareness: The count encompasses all areas of Loudoun County with targeted outreach to rural areas to ensure a connection for needed community resources.
The Point-in-Time Count is scheduled to be conducted across the nation on January 23, 2019, including in the jurisdictions that make up the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, of which Loudoun is a member.
Anyone who has questions about the Point-in-Time Count should contact Loudoun Continuum of Care Coordinator Jennifer Hope at 703-777-0353 or by email.
The Loudoun Continuum of Care is a partnership between local government, nonprofit agencies, the public school system, health care providers, faith-based organizations and others that work together to address the needs of those experiencing housing instability or homelessness in Loudoun County. More information is online at www.loudoun.gov/CoC.
# # #