Braving chilly conditions and light rain, over 360 spirited volunteers took to the streets of Philadelphia to carry out this year's Point In Time Count. Volunteers, city officials, and dedicated citizens converged in Love Park for an event that represents more than just a routine census of those without shelter—it's a gesture of communal commitment towards the city's most vulnerable individuals.
The federally mandated count began with festivities and rallying speeches from local leaders. Dave Holloman, Executive Director of the Office of Homeless Services, was struck by the outpouring of volunteer support. "It was inspiring seeing the sheer number of Philadelphians who volunteered their time to help make this year’s Point In Time Count a success," Holloman conveyed in a statement obtained by The City of Philadelphia's official website. Volunteers spread out in 47 teams, covering the city from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. to identify and survey individuals enduring unsheltered homelessness.
Before the count commenced, a pre-Count event fueled the initiative with motivational words from Michelle Snow, U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Chief Financial Officer Vinay Singh, and Jayda Alexander, Co-Chair of the OHS Young Adult Leadership Committee. "Taking this time to connect with both adults and young adults facing homelessness is impactful for us all," Alexander, who shared insights based on personal experience, told an enthusiastic crowd.
Technology played a pivotal role in this year's count, as volunteers used an encrypted link to securely upload survey results to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). According to Beth Gonzales, Deputy Director, Policy, Planning, and Performance Management, the integration of technology into the count not only simplifies data collection but also opens new avenues for nuanced analysis of the condition on streets. "The use of technology makes administering the survey easier and enhances data analysis possibilities," affirmed Gonzales.
With the overnight Point In Time Count wrapped up, volunteers followed up with the Youth Count at 2 p.m. on January 25, targeting the demographic of homeless youth. This sequential effort ensures a broader, more defined scope of understanding the homelessness landscape within Philadelphia, ultimately guiding the allocation of aid and services where they are most needed.
