ORLANDO, Fla. – The groups that coordinate services for Central Florida’s homeless community need volunteers to take the annual census.
The Point-In-Time Count is happening over the next two weeks across the country. The count is needed to help determine how to allocate federal money and other funding for homeless services programs.
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Last year, the PIT Count showed:
- 2,781 homeless people in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties
- 1,083 homeless people in Volusia and Flagler counties
- 1,062 homeless people in Brevard County
- 391 homeless people in Marion County
- 227 homeless people in Lake and Sumter counties
Brevard County
Brevard County begins its Point-In-Time Count on Thursday. Volunteers are still needed to go out and find homeless people in parks and wooded areas, in camps and in cars, and get them to take the PIT Count survey.
If you want to help with the Point-In-Time Count in Brevard County, there is a training session over Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 5:30 p.m.
You can also find other ways to help through the Brevard Homeless Coalition website.
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Orange, Seminole, Osceola counties
In the Orlando area, the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness is holding its PIT Count days on Jan. 26, 27 and 28. Volunteers are needed to find and count homeless people in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. Go to the commission’s website to sign up.
If you can’t volunteer, the agency is looking for donations like hygiene kits, warm clothing, and ready-to-eat food, snacks and water. They are also looking for people to provide professional services, like photography or bilingual support.
Lake, Sumter counties
The Mid Florida Homeless Coalition is holding the Point-In-Time Count in Lake County on Thursday, Jan. 29, and in Sumter County on Friday, Jan. 30. For more information, contact the coalition at info@midflhc.org.
For information on homelessness in Volusia and Flagler counties, go to the Commission on Homelessness and Housing website.
For information on homelessness in Marion County, go to the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care website.