HELENA — The United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area (UWLCA) are looking for assistance to help ensure an accurate count during this year’s homelessness survey.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), along with partnering organizations, will be holding their annual Point in Time count this Thursday, Jan. 30.
UWLCA Director of Community Impact Mariah Ramirez told MTN they’re still in need of volunteers to help conduct the survey that night. Those interested in volunteering should reach out to the UWLCA at (406) 442-4360 or email them before Jan. 30.
“These our our neighbors, and it’s a great way to meet them,” said Ramirez. “There are two short training sessions for volunteering online. They only take about 15 minutes.”
While the count only offers a snapshot of those affected by homelessness on a given night, the goal is to help inform the decision making process and responses to housing issues in communities.
“These numbers do help us get funding from HUD,” explained Ramirez. “We send them all back, we report to the federal government, we report to the local and statewide continuum of care coalitions and they advocate for us to get additional funding to help fill some gaps in services.”
People can also complete the Montana Homelessness Survey through Feb. 6 if they are unable to make it to a survey location on the night of Jan. 30.
