On Sunday January 24th, United Way of Chattahoochee Valley’s Home for Good: The Alliance to End Homelessness began the Point-in-Time Count.  This survey takes place every January and allows groups working on helping those without shelter to make comparisons on a year-to-year basis. Volunteers in our local area worked diligently to count the number of people living on the streets.  Home for Good in Chattahoochee Valley  was selected to be one of only 76 communities in the United States and the only one in Georgia to participate in Zero: 2016, a national endeavor to end veterans and chronic displacement.  Home for Good has implemented the 10-Year Plan to put an end to individuals and families living on the street.

The annual PIT count which took place January 24th – 25th is crucial for the area’s fight against people being dispossessed, Home for Good PIT count looks towards volunteers to help in this effort.  The sheltered survey resulted in over 140 surveyed 69% male and 31% female.  The unsheltered survey led to over 80 surveyed 81% male and 19% female, which brought a total exceeding  220 surveyed 74% male and 26% female.  On the night of January 24th around 63% surveyed were sheltered and nearly 37% surveyed were unsheltered.

The 10-Year Plan provides an outline that progresses the community by managing the immediate needs of someone whom is adrift to ending abandonment through long-term planning.  “Supporting the homeless service system will moderate the number of people who experience being dispossessed in Columbus and Muscogee County.  PIT Count puts us on track to reaching the goal to end individuals from being without a home.  This survey ensures services are available to support people in our community that enable them to survive and succeed,” said Pat Frey, Executive Director of Home for Good.  She further stated, “Mayor Teresa Tomlinson supports our team leaders and volunteer’s willingness to survey homeless individuals.”  Conducting the PIT Count improves the housing and employment for those displaced.

United Way was asked by the City of Columbus to house and implement the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in 2011.  When United Way formed Home for Good, its goal was to make panhandling atypical, temporary and non-recurring.   The priority areas include increased access to affordable and permanent supportive housing, and increased coordination and collaborative efforts among service and system providers.