Volunteers are needed to help research people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. of Number of homeless people at a certain point in the year It will be held on January 28th.
Every year, teams of city and county employees and volunteers fan out area parks, alleys and bus stops one morning in January to count the number of unsheltered people. These point-in-time counts are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are an important source of data on national housing and homelessness trends. Most cities across the country are participating to qualify for federal funding to address homelessness.
Maricopa County’s homeless population has increased by more than 40% over the past five years, according to an annual survey. However, last year’s count It showed an increase in the population staying in homeless shelters and a slight decrease in the number of unsheltered people on the streets.
“For the first time in years, there are more people in shelters than not in shelters. That’s a big deal,” said Brian Gruters, regional homelessness program manager for the Maricopa Association of Governments. . “I think the fact that something like that happened speaks to the efforts of the City of Phoenix and other communities in the area to set up shelters in times of real need.”
But challenges remain, Gruters says. And he expects this year’s count so far to show that the total number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in the county continues to grow.
“Nationwide, we see this trend continuing. The problem is getting worse, not better, so I think we’re preparing for more of the same, but it’s a growing trend. Yes,” Gruters said.
Gruters said volunteering for the count is a good way for the public to get involved in tackling homelessness.
“If it’s something you’re concerned about, if it’s something you see every day, if it’s something you’re concerned about, this is a good opportunity to get involved,” Gruters said. “When you go out in the morning and stand next to someone who is going through this and talk to them, it kind of opens your eyes a little bit.”
Those interested in volunteering can find contact information for local coordinators at: Maricopa Association of Governments Website.
