Central Oregon homeless count gets underway

On one night every year, something happens in Oregon called the Point in Time Count. It’s when volunteers and social service workers go into the community and count the number of homeless people. This year, that night is Wednesday, though other counts continue across the region through Friday.

The count is an opportunity for agencies to assess the need in our communities, to compare the need from years past and to receive funding to meet the needs of our homeless population.

The count is an opportunity for stories from people like Holly Presley to be heard.

“I never expected to be 35 and living in a tent by any means, but I’m grateful,” Presley said. “I have learned a lot. I know that when you think you can’t make it though a certain situation, you just stick with it and make the best of it and don’t let it get ahold of you and take you over.”

Shea Kelly-Buckley is an AmeriCorps volunteer helping with the count. She said it helps with getting funding for services throughout the year.

“The goal of that count is just to gather data to show there is a need for programs, resources, services here in the region and to figure out how to better meet those needs,” Kelly-Buckley said.

The count, conducted yearly, determines out just how many homeless people there are in Oregon. Last year, 1,301 people in Deschutes County were considered to be some type of homeless — whether “precariously housed,” sheltered or unsheltered.

“We are good people. We just kind of hit a rough spot,” Presley said. “Struggle happens within all of us, no matter what it be, whether it’s money, food, emotion. So instead of judging us or pushing us away, try to just smile, at least.”

Taking part in the count is voluntary and folks can remain anonymous, but it doesn’t take long for basic data to take an emotional turn.

For Evan Tipton, it started with his health.

“Found out I had colon cancer, so I had to quit working at Taco Bell for the surgery and stuff,” Tipton said. “By the time I was able to go back to work and I actually got a job at Sonic three years ago, I ended up with congestive heart failure, COPD, kidney disease.”

Along with helping to assess the needs of our homeless community, the count allows people who have never experienced homelessness to better understand the situation.

“Every now and then, someone will say, ‘Get a job.’ I just wish they’d stop long enough so I can tell them why I don’t have a job,” Tipton said.

Presley added, “Some of us are trying to just make the best out of life, and it’s very difficult. It’s a learning experience. You learn a lot about life and what you really to need, what’s required to live.”

The Point in Time count is something that happens across the country every January and is required by the federal government.

Actually, some of the counting continues Thursday and Friday in locations across the region.

For the full list of times and places, visit: https://www.cohomeless.org/event/point-in-time-count-2019/