WALDO COUNTY — The Waldo County Homeless Coalition is coordinating a count throughout Waldo County to better understand the needs of residents and the scope of homelessness and housing insecurity throughout the community.

The annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count sponsored by the federal government’s Housing and Urban Development Department, otherwise known as HUD, collects data on homeless populations nationwide. The count takes place each year towards the end of January. This year, that count will be taking place January 28, 2020. 

Information gathered is used to determine where to direct funding and services for addressing homelessness throughout the country and state. 

Information is gathered through a voluntary in-person interview with questions asked to people who are currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The interview takes about 10 minutes to complete. The survey includes questions such as age and race, where a person is currently sleeping, and veteran status. The results of the interviews are collected and analyzed.

Responses to questions will not be shared with anyone outside of the Waldo County Homeless Coalition, the Maine State Housing Authority, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to the Homeless Coalition, in a news release. Each person’s information is kept private and only statistical data is released.

The PIT Count Survey collects information on people living without shelter, as well as, those living in places not meant for habitation including in tents, cars, abandoned buildings, sheds, garages, barns, boats, etc. Information is also gathered from individuals living in homeless shelters, paid motel stays, transitional housing programs, or safe havens (such as in cases of domestic violence). 

The Waldo County Homeless Coalition is expecting to administer a short supplemental survey that will collect additional information from people who are couch surfing, living in foreclosed homes, living without basic utilities (heat/hot water, plumbing, electricity, etc.), or paying for their own motel stay as a result of an inability to obtain permanent housing.

The Point-in-Time Count collects information about a person’s housing status on a single night in January. The date selected for this year’s count is Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Surveys will be conducted on the day of the count through Friday, January 31. There are a number of walk-in locations throughout the county where volunteers will be stationed to conduct surveys including at the Belfast Soup Kitchen, Crossroads to Calvary Food Pantry (in Morrill), Stockton Springs Community Library, and the Unity Community Center. To view a full schedule of walk-in times and locations, visit pitcount2020.wordpress.com.

To schedule an interview at a time and location convenient to you, or to get more information about the Count, contact (207) 209-3633 or waldohomeless@gmail.com.

Are you... homeless? couch-surfing? living out of a vehicle or motel? If you need housing, we need to know.

SAVE THE DATE
January 28, 2020
WHO will be surveyed?
Those without stable housing.
WHERE will the surveys be done?
Walk-ins at sites including:

The Belfast Soup Kitchen- Wed. 1/29 - Fri. 1/31 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Belfast General Assistance- Tues. 1/28 from 12 - 3 p.m., Thurs. 1/30 and Fri. 1/31 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Stockton Springs Community Library- Tues. 1/28 from 4-6 p.m.
Crossroads to Calvary (Morrill) - Wed. 1/29 from 4-6 p.m.

Monroe Community Church- Thurs. 1/30 from 11 a.m - 1 p.m. (community supper 11-12 p.m.)

Unity Community Center - Thurs. 1/30 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Gift cards to area businesses will be offered to survey participants. 

To schedule an interview at a location close to you, use the contact information below and leave a voicemail or text with your name, town location, and the best way to reach you.

The Coalition will set up the rest when it contacts you.

Count Yourself In.
Point In Time Homeless Count: January 28-31, 2020

WHY is the PIT Count being done?

The results from this count will help bring funds and services to Waldo County, so that we can help those without stable housing receive housing services.

The 2020 survey is being conducted by the Waldo County Homeless Coalition, For more information on the survey and to schedule an interview, contact waldohomeless@gmail.com or call 207-209-3633 or visit www.PITCount2020.wordpress.com