Loudoun Makes Plans To Count The Homeless

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Local officials, together with nonprofits group, are preparing to conduct Loudoun County's annual survey of people in the community experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. On the night of Jan. 22 and the morning of Jan. 23, a Point-in-Time (PIT) count of homelessness will be conducted across Loudoun.

The Loudoun County Continuum of Care, a partnership between local government, nonprofit agencies, the public school system, health care providers, faith-based organizations, will be overseeing the count. The PIT count is intended to provide a single-day snapshot of a community's homeless population as well as households that may be on the brink of becoming homeless.

"The count is one of the tools that we use to assess our community needs and develop and direct resources efficiently and effectively to our most vulnerable community members," Loudoun County Department of Family Services Director Glenda Blake said Wednesday in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires jurisdictions to conduct PIT surveys to count their homeless populations on one single night within the last 10 days of each January. The program began in 2003 and happens annually. HUD requires communities to complete the count in order to receive federal funding for homeless programs.

According to a report released by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments last May, Loudoun County counted 169 people experiencing homelessness in January 2019 compared to 134 in January 2018. Neighboring Farifax County saw an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, rising from 987 in 2018 to 1,034 in 2019.

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During the count, Continuum of Care staff, along with staff from local nonprofits, will canvass the county to assist anyone who is unsheltered by providing resources, non-perishable food and other needed items the night of Jan. 22 and the morning of Jan. 23. Local law enforcement personnel and mental health clinicians will also assist with outreach efforts across the county. In the event of inclement weather or heavy snow, the count will be conducted on Jan, 29.

The PIT count includes outreach to a wide range of people, including young adults ages 18 to 24, veterans, people over 60 and families. Results from the PIT are used for data-driven decision-making for specific types of housing needs and areas of program development, according to Contiuum of Care.

Anyone with questions about the PIT count should contact Loudoun Continuum of Care Coordinator Jennifer Hope at 703-777-0353 or Jennifer.Hope@loudoun.gov. To get connected to health and human services information and resources in Loudoun County, including coordinated entry for housing and homeless assistance, contact the Loudoun County Information and Referral program at 703-777-0420.