Point in Time Count

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 6 AM-10 PM

Background Information:

Annually, A-SPAN joins the Arlington 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness-Implementation Task Force (ITF) and participates in the Point-In-Time (PIT) survey, which is led by the Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG). The purpose of the survey is to count the homeless and formerly homeless persons served in a jurisdiction on a particular date. The survey also counts the number of beds available for homeless and formerly homeless persons.

For this survey, Arlington homeless non-profit providers and DHS programs count all persons who are considered literally homeless. The following programs are surveyed:surveying client on the streets

The survey also counts the number of formerly homeless persons and persons in families who are currently participating in permanent supportive housing programs. However, these persons are not counted as being literally homeless.

This year the survey will be conducted on January 30, 2013. In addition to capturing numbers on individuals and families, the survey examined data elements about the homeless that include, but are not limited to, employment and income information, disability type, domestic violence, and foster care history.

Although the PIT Survey does not count the total number of homeless persons served in a given calendar year or fiscal year, the survey does provide key information about the clients currently being served by homeless and community service programs. The survey will serve as one of the tools that assist in understanding the nature of homelessness which can assist in shaping program and policy planning.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers, age 18 and above, are needed to help administer the Point-In-Time Count to people in Arlington experiencing homelessness. The PIT Count is a short questionnaire that collects demographic information about our neighbors on the street. The results of the count are critical to our programs, because they affect our funding and help us tailor our services to best meet our clients' needs.

Volunteers will be assigned to a team led by experienced A-SPAN staff. Teams will canvass locations throughout Arlington, including outdoor areas, drop-in sites, the Emergency Winter Shelter, and A-SPAN Opportunity Place.

Volunteer Shifts: Wednesday, January 30, 2013

If you are already a part of A-SPAN's Online Volunteer Information Center, you may sign up for a shift online. Login here.   

If you are not a part of A-SPAN's Online Volunteer Information Center and would like to sign up for a shift online, please submit your Volunteer Application Form.

All Point-in-Time Count volunteers are required to attend one of these Mandatory Volunteer Trainings:

You may sign up for the volunteer training session of your choice online.