This week, service agencies all across the country are conducting Point-In-Time Counts to identify how many people are staying in shelters, cars, tents, and other makeshift accommodations in their communities. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi spoke with two local count coordinators.
Annual Point-In-Time Counts are mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and conducted by regional networks of service agencies. The Valley Homeless Connection is comprised of organizations in the cities of Lexington, Staunton, and Waynesboro; and the counties of Augusta, Highland, and Rockbridge. They'll have a team of twenty counters out on Wednesday night, talking to people experiencing homelessness.
KRISTEN COOK: I know last year we identified about 160 folks that night.
Kristen Cook is the assistant director of New Directions Center in Staunton.
CRYSTAL STUCK: We did encounter, in '23, more individuals in encampments than we did last year.
Crystal Stuck is the homeless and special needs housing supervisor for the Valley Community Services Board.
STUCK: Since that time, law enforcement has really cracked down on moving individuals versus allowing them to set up encampments. … They were much more spread out last year. … We do have a street outreach person position now, where we didn't have that in our '24 count, so I'm hoping that with more staff on board that has been out in the world over the last few months, that we will be able to encounter more individuals this year.
That includes our unsheltered neighbors weathering the single-digit temperatures this week. The data that the team collects Wednesday night is instrumental for applying for a variety of grant funding. Anyone experiencing homelessness in the area can access services through the Valley Homeless Connection by calling their intake line at 540-213-7347, or visiting valleyhomelessconnection.com.