Homeless Leadership Coalition begins week-long Point-in-Time Count and Survey effort across Central Oregon

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Hundreds of Homeless Leadership Coalition staff members began the Central Oregon 2024 Homeless Count & Survey on Tuesday, a week-long, federally required project to count all houseless individuals in the region that provides crucial data and is key for funding of efforts to provide support and a safe path out of homelessness.

The annual count will identify the number of both sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness across Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Results will be released this spring.

The Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count provides a snapshot of homelessness in Central Oregon on a single night in January of each year. While it is not possible to count every person experiencing homelessness, the methodology includes outreach efforts targeting known areas and general canvassing to capture the best picture possible. The count also allows us to look at trends over the years by using consistent methodology. 

“While the Point-in-Time count is only a snapshot of our homelessness crisis, we know that gathering data is an important way to drive progress and help secure funding,” said Eliza Wilson, chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition. “With PIT data, the Homeless Leadership Coalition, local governments and public agencies can better target services and develop plans to address the crisis of poverty and homelessness in Central Oregon.”

The PIT includes use of a survey tool which provides a means for gathering information directly from individuals, unaccompanied youth and families experiencing homelessness about their needs and the causes of homelessness. The PIT results, along with other data and information, help inform Central Oregon’s plan for addressing needs and making progress toward goals to reduce, end, and prevent homelessness.

About the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count

As in years past, Central Oregon will complete a full Point in Time count of individuals in shelter and those living unsheltered across the Region. During an unsheltered count, outreach teams conduct brief, conversational surveys with people on the street to survey individuals who were unsheltered on the night of January 23rd. A sheltered count is done by gathering data from the system we use to document shelter stays, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). 

During the 2024 Count, hundreds of HLC member agency staff will work together to count individuals in La Pine, Sunriver, Bend, Sisters, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Warm Springs. 

The annual Homeless Count is a HUD requirement for the local Continuum of Care (CoC) funding process, which brought more than $860,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 to homeless assistance programs in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

The HLC coordinates the community application for this funding each year with support of Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. Funds received are distributed to homeless service partners to provide permanent housing, outreach, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. 

For more information: Anyone interested in learning more, is encouraged to contact HLC members directly to learn more about their participation in the Point in Time. 

About the Central Oregon Homeless Leadership Coalition: The Homeless Leadership Coalition leads a community centered, coordinated and collaborative response to prevent and end homelessness as the HUD designated Continuum of Care (OR-503) for Central Oregon. The coalition is a collaboration of community partners in Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes counties, including the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, engaging the community through education, advocacy, planning, prioritizing and accountability for services to persons experiencing homelessness. HLC members include shelter providers, public schools, public health, emergency services, veterans’ outreach, faith communities, public safety, mental health, housing services, public services, private employers, people with lived experience of homelessness and others. HLC members represent a diverse group of interests, unified by a belief that we are stronger, healthier, safer communities where people can thrive when everyone has a safe, stable place to call home. cohomeless.org