Statewide homeless count to be coordinated by United Way of the Plains in 2009

WICHITA, Kan. — Kansas Housing Resources Corporation has selected United Way of the Plains to coordinate “Everybody Counts,” a statewide count of homeless individuals on January 28, 2009. The selection was based on the recommendation of the Kansas Point-In-Time Partners, a group of community stakeholders and state organizations.

Volunteers in 40 counties of Kansas will go to shelters and targeted urban and suburban locations to survey homeless individuals. The goal is to count all homeless individuals who are staying in shelters or staying in cars, abandoned buildings, under bridges, etc. The process includes a survey to determine how long the persons have been homeless, what conditions led them to be homeless and other important information to help address homelessness.

United Way of the Plains will establish a standardized survey form, recruit volunteers, provide training to local county leaders and coordinate the counting process.

The sponsors of “Everybody Counts” Kansas Homeless Count are: Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and Kansas SRS Disability & Behavioral Health Services.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a “Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons” across the country. Communities need accurate data on homelessness to determine the size and scope of the homeless problem at the local level, plan services and programs appropriately to address local needs, measure progress in addressing homelessness, and measure performance of individual programs and the system as a whole. HUD needs data to understand the extent and nature of homelessness throughout the country, to make funding decisions and more.

If you or anyone you know, needs to be included in this count, please contact Rhonda Keesee at (785) 543-5364 (h); 543-7850 (c); 540-4277 (w).