Home for Good: The Alliance to End Homelessness, a program of United Way released their 2016 Point-in-Time Count results. The PIT Count is completed every year as required by The Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Home for Good staff and nearly sixty trained volunteers identified locations of where people congregate, and developed the best way to approach persons experiencing homelessness.  

The PIT Count survey collects and uses data locally.  It’s an important assessment of the community’s homelessness population.  Each survey documents the individual’s current location or housing status as well as makes record of their medical condition and other demographical sectors.  These results are a snapshot that captures the most accurate count, although fluid, it is the best way to measure where we are and reassess the needs reflected on the survey. The PIT Count sets the baseline and helps programs assess community strengths, gaps, and needs.  Pat Frey, the Executive Director of Home for Good along with the Home for Good team is creating a by-name list. This is an important part of the larger process to house people and keep them housed with the use of services.

“It is important to remember that the count is a snapshot in time, done once a year,” said Pat Frey, Executive Director of Home for Good.   Since 2009, the number of homeless is down by 19%.  The average for 2013-2015 was 326 compared to this year’s count of 303.  We cannot do this without the help of our service providers that are working everyday to help those in need.  Frey further stated, “The coalition of sixteen service providers has made significant progress in helping homeless veterans along with the chronically homeless get housing, thus reducing the number of people in need of housing.”   Home for Good has taken measures to ensure that there is a voice for subpopulations like homeless veterans, youth, families, and persons experiencing chronic homelessness. This goal is achieved through partnership, relationships, and working together with providers such as New Horizons, Salvation Army, and The Columbus Housing Authority.