A local agency said Thursday’s one-night survey of people experiencing homelessness is critical in helping bring resources to the table.
Choice Health Network Upper Cumberland Client Service Manager Connie Garrett said the Point in Time Count is a HUD-required, one-night effort. It attempts to accurately count how many people are experiencing homelessness in the community. Garrett said having accurate numbers helps secure federal funding for communities in the Upper Cumberland.
“You know, if we can show that we have homelessness here and the need is here, then you know, government funding comes into the Upper Cumberland to help those people get housed or get those people resources,” Garrett said.
Garrett said the funding usually supports emergency shelters and transitional housing. While it does help, she said the region still faces an uphill battle in addressing homelessness.
“Last year we had more numbers than the year before,” Garrett said. “And it has steadily been going up in numbers.”
Garrett said one contributor to homelessness in the Upper Cumberland is the lack of affordable housing.
Garrett said for the Point in Time Count, local agencies work together to go throughout their community to see who needs housing assistance.
“We try to find those people and get their basic information, and we also provide backpacks to them with like blankets, shelf-stable food, and stuff to help them out there on the street,” Garrett said.
Garrett said she encourages everyone to call if they know someone homeless in their community. Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee has led Point in Time Count efforts in recent years in the region.