Volunteers for the ‘Point In Time’ count set out in Butte County Wednesday to collect demographic information on people experiencing homelessness. The survey is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps local agencies apply for federal funding.
"It's really important," said Chico Housing Manager Marie Demers, who directed volunteers on the day of the count. "Even though it is typically an undercount of folks who are experiencing homelessness, it does inform the numbers in terms of [...] what kind of resources we might be able to receive as a community to do what we can to assist."
The count gathers information like age, ethnicity, and veteran status. It also notes information about the individual's current shelter situation, mental health, and what factors contribute to them being unhoused.
Last year's survey counted over 1100 unhoused residents in the county. Chico had the highest number of unhoused individuals with 885 people counted, followed by Oroville, with 214 people counted. In addition to volunteers going out into the community, the county also set up survey hubs at locations across the county.
"I think it gets me out of my bubble, and lets me go meet people and talk to them personally," said Hilary Crosby, executive director of local nonprofit Safe Space Winter Shelter. She attended the count as a volunteer, and unhoused residents in Chico.
"Hopefully, [we will] be able to get more information from people that are actually experiencing homelessness," Crosby said. "I don't want to be making decisions if I don't have their experience. So I really want to get their feedback."
Demers said around 170 volunteers showed up across the county to conduct the survey, and that the results are expected to come out in the spring.