COLUMBIA, S.C. — It is no secret that homelessness is an issue for cities and towns across the United States. Organizations at every level -- from local to federal -- are constantly looking for ways to address and find solutions for those dealing with housing insecurity.
One of the steps in the problem-solving process is to attempt to gather data on how many people are actually homeless.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandates annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Homelessness Counts to measure the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The data gathered from the PIT Count helps to secure funding and shape solutions to end homelessness.
The United Way of the Midlands will be conducting the 2025 PIT Count on Wednesday, January 22, and is asking for volunteers to help collect data in the Columbia area.
Anyone can volunteer for the PIT Count -- individuals, families, community groups, and organizations. A mandatory training session will be held on Wednesday, January 15, to learn about the PIT Count methodology and guidelines. A video training session will be made available if you are unable to attend the session in person.
Volunteers will work in teams to gather information, and conduct surveys and observations in designated areas during the evening and early morning hours of January 22.
To volunteer, register online through this link or contact Brandi Ross at bross@uway.com for more information.