SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s annual statewide effort to count people experiencing homelessness will take place early in the mornings on Thursday, Jan. 30, Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, from 4 to 6 a.m. each day.
Communities across Utah are looking for volunteers to help with this surveying effort by identifying and interviewing people who were unsheltered on the night of Jan. 29. This count provides information to better understand homelessness in Utah.
Wayne Niederhauser, Utah’s State Homeless Coordinator said “Accurately counting Utahns experiencing homelessness is critical, and we rely heavily on volunteers to gather reliable data. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we can better understand and address the needs of people without shelter across the state.”
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count helps gather data on people and families living without shelter—those staying on the streets, in vehicles, or other places not meant for housing. The information guides policymakers in setting goals to reduce homelessness and develop services and programs that meet local needs.
Randy Shumway, Chair of the Utah Homeless Services Board, highlighted the importance of the PIT Count in preserving human dignity: “Every Utahn deserves to be seen, heard, and respected. The data collected during the PIT Count helps us plan services that restore dignity and offer a path toward stability for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.”
Volunteers are needed statewide to join teams and connect with people experiencing homelessness. Before the count begins, virtual training sessions will be provided. These sessions will cover:
- How to use the survey app
- Best practices for interviewing Utahns experiencing homelessness
- Information about youth homelessness
- Trauma-informed approaches
Volunteer teams will be assigned specific areas and conduct outreach each morning during the three-day count. Volunteers can sign up for one day, but participating all three days is encouraged to improve data accuracy.
Each area of Utah is organizing counts differently, so volunteers should contact the local coordinator in their area. To learn more and sign up, visit: endutahhomelessness.org/point-in-time-count.