Volunteers conduct point-in-time count to assess homelessness in Columbus

Volunteers in Columbus and Franklin County are conducting a 'point-in-time count' to address homelessness, with numbers expected to rise.

Volunteers in Columbus and Franklin County have been hard at work since before sunrise, conducting the critical 'point-in-time count' to address homelessness. This nationwide initiative, taking place on Thursday, January 25, aims to provide an accurate snapshot of the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population on a single day in January.

The Community Shelter Board (CSB) and its partners are leading this effort, which is essential for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to gain insight into the extent of homelessness across the United States. Last year, Central Ohio saw a significant 22% increase in the unsheltered homeless population, and this trend is expected to continue.

CSB President and CEO Shannon TL Isom anticipates another increase this year, but hopes it will not be as drastic as the previous year. The economic growth in Columbus and Franklin County is contributing to the strain on infrastructure and service delivery, resulting in a shortage of affordable housing and rising housing costs.

More than 200 volunteers have been diligently counting individuals in warming shelters, encampments, and those without shelter. These numbers will be reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and confirmed later in the year. The area is currently facing an affordable housing crisis, and the point-in-time count is crucial in identifying the impact and formulating effective strategies to address the issue.

United Way of Central Ohio Senior VP Michael Wilkos highlights the urgent need to invest in affordable housing to prevent a more severe crisis. The growing homelessness in the area is a direct response to the lack of affordable housing units, and while Columbus is not yet at the level of cities like Austin, Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco, it is following a similar pattern.

Specific groups, such as elderly adults, are being disproportionately affected by homelessness, with a 381% increase in the number of elderly adults without homes over the last decade. This trend is evident in resource centers, where the impact is felt firsthand.

The point-in-time count plays a crucial role in informing organizations and policymakers to develop effective strategies and policies to address homelessness. Isom emphasizes the importance of reviewing the numbers with the team, the board, and stakeholders to set strategies and policies that will best serve the community.

As the community grapples with the challenges of homelessness, the point-in-time count serves as a vital tool in understanding the extent of the issue and formulating targeted solutions to address the growing crisis.