Homeless Population Survey Taking Place Early Thursday Morning In Philly

More than 250 volunteers will be canvasing each zip code in Philadelphia beginning early Thursday morning in hopes of calculating the city's homeless population as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) national Point In Time count.

Beginning at 3 a.m. Thursday, volunteers will organize and spread out throughout the city, canvassing areas in every zip code. Volunteers will be out in force from about 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. conducting the survey.

The teams of three will conduct short surveys, speak to any willing participant living on the street to accurately document, and gather information about each individual and their housing status.

The PIT count is an annual HUD initiative that gathers information about adults, families and young people living in emergency, transitional and temporary housing, and on the street.

Results of the count inform local and federal policy, allocate resources and help to assist in determining how to end homelessness.

The city’s participation is coordinated by the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services.

Image via davitydave, Flickr