A survey that captures one night of homelessness is slated Wednesday, Jan. 27 in each of the five Mid-shore counties. The Mid-Shore Roundtable on Homelessness, a collaborative group focused on the issues of homelessness for Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties, is preparing to conduct its annual Point In Time Survey for 2016. Volunteers will gather demographic information on individuals and families suffering from homelessness. The count is just one night to capture the most accurate data. Information gathered is de-identified and then reported to the Department of Housing and Urban Development where it is then examined at a national level. This data is also used to illustrate the growing need for services for individuals and families affected by homelessness in our region.
This year, with funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Mid-Shore Roundtable will hold three Point In Time Events. One event will take place at Delmarva Community Action Center in Cambridge, Maryland (100 Goodwill Avenue Cambridge, Md. 21613) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A second event will take place at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Denton, Md. (401 Aldersgate Drive Denton, MD 21629, the old Wesleyan High School) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and the third is at St. Vincent de Paul in Easton, Maryland (29533 Canvasback Drive, Easton, MDd.21601) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will conduct surveys with homeless individuals and families at all events. Refreshments will be available and incentives such as warm winter items and food gift cards will be offered to survey participants. Volunteers also will work to connect participants with needed resources.
In an effort to count any homeless individuals and families that may not be able to attend one of the three events, volunteers will also be working in pairs to canvas homeless encampments in the five county region. These volunteers will have incentives and resource information for participants surveyed. That night, service providers, faith-based organizations, county offices, and additional volunteers will administer a brief survey to homeless individuals and families. Most surveys will be collected in our area’s Cold Weather Emergency Shelters and from our community service providers.
It is hoped that through the survey, individuals and families affected by homelessness will not only be counted but will be linked with all services they may need in order to help them overcome homelessness.
The Mid-Shore Roundtable on Homelessness wants this process to bring awareness to the community of the ever growing need of services for individuals and families affected by homelessness. If you would like any further information on the Point in Time Survey or the Roundtable on Homelessness please feel free to contact Jeanine Beasley, Continuum of Care Coordinator, at 410-770-4801 or email at [email protected].
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