The County of Lassen in partnership, along with several community-based organizations are conducting a Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness, which began yesterday and will continue until Monday, January 30th.
The Point-in-Time Count is intended to provide a snapshot of a community’s homeless population. The annual count is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for communities across the country to receive funding.
During the last 10 days of January each year, thousands of volunteers canvass communities, as well as count and survey individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
“Following an early morning briefing, our Point-in-Time survey teams departed to their assigned areas to gather information from individuals who receive housing from local shelters and service providers, or individuals who are currently unsheltered,” Lassen’s Director of Health and Social Services, Barbara Longo, MS, RDN explains.
“The surveyors, which includes community service members from community-based organizations and County staff, received training and were provided with ‘Winter Care Packages’ to give to individuals participating in the survey.”
According to Longo teams began the count around 6:30 Wednesday morning in and around the City of Susanville and Westwood and will continue with counts in the Herlong/Doyle area today, and in Big Valley on Monday.
The primary goal of this year’s survey is to collect data from unsheltered individuals, as required by the NorCal Continuum of Care Region and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to assess Lassen County’s housing needs.
“We will use the results to develop programs and services specific to the needs of Lassen County’s individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity.”
Preliminary results from the Point-in-Time Count will be released, as soon as possible, after the data has been compiled.
