Volunteers needed for Jan. 23 count of people experiencing homelessness

Have you had family members stay with you while they work to pay unexpected medical expenses? Is your former neighbor living in a shelter after losing her home after a job loss? These are just a couple examples of what homelessness looks like in Anoka County today. To get an accurate assessment of the extent of homelessness, each January, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires an annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count of people experiencing homelessness. The count includes men, women, and children who are living in shelters, on the street, or in places not meant for human habitation, as well as individuals and families living with family or friends.

Anoka County, the Heading Home Anoka Housing Collaborative, and the Suburban Metro Area Continuum of Care work collaboratively to end homelessness. The count will take place Wednesday, Jan. 23, at sundown, and end at sunrise Thursday, Jan. 24. Locations throughout the county, including homeless shelters, city streets, and other known homeless encampments will be canvassed in an attempt to interview people who are experiencing homelessness. Volunteers are needed; you can be a part of ending homelessness by volunteering with the 2019 count. Training and resources are provided for all who volunteer.

Info: anokacounty.us/homelessness, to sign up for a training, and to volunteer.