PIT Count numbers released

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PREBLE COUNTY — The preliminary results from the annual Point in Time Count have been released, showing 36 people in Preble County without homes.

The annual count was held by the HIT Foundation on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Volunteers came together with local law enforcement to search for area homeless people and to offer assistance.

The Point in Time Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order for the county to receive federal funding.

Results from the count were not available immediately, as service forms were still out. While the HIT Foundation is continuing to analyze the data collected, their preliminary numbers have been released.

There were 25 sheltered and 11 unsheltered homeless people located. Of the total 36, there were 28 adults and eight children.

“It is basically a snapshot of what your homeless population looks like on any given night. The numbers we get from the point in time count, we can request funding to show the need, it can be used for planning and setting priorities, and just improving your community,” Program Coordinator Toni Morgan said.

“During the Point in Time count, if we encounter anyone who is homeless on that night, we are required to have a place for them to go, whether that be the cold shelter or a hotel voucher.”

Unlike other communities who hold their count, Preble County invites the homeless to a Homeless Resource Fair before the count, to get them out of the cold and to offer services.

Seventeen local organizations which volunteered their time and information, with 23 people attending the fair. Afterward, volunteers and law enforcement broke off to search the whole of Preble County for any person without a home who could not make it to the Homeless Resource Fair.

Morgan added, “Although HUD does not count ‘couch surfers’ we conducted a local count and found 109 people precariously housed. Of the 109; 64 were adults and 45 were children. We will have more statistics as we continue to analyze the data collected.”

Locating Preble’s homeless

By Kelsey Kimbler

[email protected]

Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH

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