Homeless Count In Austin Planned

AUSTIN, TX — City officials are poised to undertake the annual census of the homeless population in the Austin/Travis County area, and are seeking volunteers to help with the task.

Dubbed the Point In Time Count (the "PIT Count" in the municipal nomenclature), the count is set to begin on Jan. 25 with hundreds of volunteers heading out across the region to count every person experiencing homelessness who are not registered at shelters, officials explained in a press advisory.

To that end, volunteers will count people sleeping in cars, tents, parks, under bridges and on the streets. The information from this count is used to guide public policy and is vital for securing resources to help end homelessness in our community, officials noted.

Volunteer roles

"The Point In Time Count can’t happen without the support of community volunteers, and this year we’re looking to recruit 800 people to help with the count," city officials wrote, categorizing the two types of volunteers as being Team Leads and General Volunteers. "Much of the count occurs on foot, so volunteers should be comfortable walking several miles during their shift," officials advised.

Those interested in volunteering for the PIT Count but are unable to walk long distances might want to consider helping the city collect donations to pass out during the count (see the donations section below for more information). "We also require a handful of volunteers to assist ECHO staff at the PIT Count Headquarters on the night of the count," officials continued, referencing the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition.

For more information related to volunteering or helping collect donations, email the organizers of the initiative.

Chart courtesy of City of Austin.

Helping with donations

Every year PIT Count volunteers hand out care packages to homeless people encountered during the count — parcels typically containing hygiene supplies (toothbrushes, toothpastes, soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene products), small non-perishable snacks, and socks. City officials noted that socks tend to be especially popular.

"Anyone can help with donations, and collecting donations can be an alternative way to support the PIT Count if you’re unable to participate as a General Volunteer," organizers wrote. "We’d like to encourage people to run their own donation drives collecting donations from friends, families, colleagues, schoolmates, and faith communities. We will also happily accept donations from individuals.

Once donations are collected, volunteers are urged to reach out to ECHO in determining where the items will go. "We are looking to collect enough donations for around 2,000 people," officials said. "All donations need to be received by the second week on January to allow us time to put together the care packages," organizers said, adding that any donations not handed out on the night of the count will be given to local shelters.

Click here to download a flyer with information on the PIT Count and donations that you can use for your own donation drive. Those with questions about donations are encouraged to email officials at PointInTime@austinecho.org.

Amazon wish list

Donors can purchase items through Amazon using ECHO’s charity wish list, and have the items shipped directly to the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition. Those interested can click here to be directed to AmazonSmile, log in or create an Amazon account and view a list of items needed for PIT Count care packages.