Homeless count vital to relief efforts

Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME) is teaming up with Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee (HART) to conduct an annual Point in Time (PIT) count of the homeless population in Warren County.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as part of its Continuums of Care Program, has set Thursday, Jan. 22, as the day for PIT counts to be held across America. The goal of the count is to provide a general idea of each region's sheltered and homeless populations. The information is vital in assessing need and properly allocating resources to stem the tide of homelessness.

Locally, the PIT count was moved to Saturday by HOME in an effort to support the showing of the film "Beyond the Bridge" presented by McMinnville Action to Create Housing (MATCH) at the Park Theater at 6 p.m. Thursday. With foreboding forecasts for the weekend, HOME organizers are worried how the count will be affected.

"Due to the impending weather front coming in, we are concerned about the potential negative impact it may have on our efforts," HOME Executive Director Sheila Fann said. "The PIT Count is a measurement tool used by HUD and communities alike to determine funding, resources and services. I believe it is a good tool, but there are drawbacks. For example, if John Doe has been experiencing homelessness for the past two years, but on the night of the count he sleeps on a friend’s couch, HUD guidelines do not allow him to be included in the official count though we will likely be serving him again within the next week.”

HOME and HART plan to conduct a street count of unhoused individuals this weekend with the help of local volunteers and social service agency staff who will go into the community to gather information on the homeless population. Those willing to help are encouraged to contact HOME at (931) 304-4509 or (931) 668-0702.

For additional information about homelessness and how you can be help, contact Fann at home371101@gmail.com or Vivian Walker (HART) at chdc@crossvillehousing.org or (931) 484-3207.

Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee (HART) serves 18 counties: Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Roane, Scott, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, White and Wilson.