Volunteering three hours of time can be a big step in helping end homelessness in Snohomish County. The county needs volunteers to help with the annual Point In Time Homeless count Thursday, Jan. 22.

Volunteers work three-hour shifts between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Training and materials are provided, and volunteers can choose to work in various parts of the county.

“Each year we make progress toward finding solutions for those who are homeless and those at risk of being homeless,” said Snohomish County Executive John Lovick. “This count helps us understand where we have gaps in our system and what resources will benefit our most vulnerable residents.”

During the 2014 count, 1,272 individuals in 922 households reported they had no permanent place to stay. Of those individuals, 314 – or 26 percent of the count – were homeless children younger than 18.

The PIT count brings together human services providers, county staff and community volunteers to respectfully count the number of families and individuals who are homeless in Snohomish County. The results of the count help ensure the county receives vital state and federal funds to combat homelessness. Data from the annual count also is used to help understand how widespread homelessness is in the county and who is most affected.

To volunteer for the PIT count, please contact one of the following area leads:
• East County: Sharon Paskewitz, 425-212-3211 or spaskewitz@voaww.org;
• South County: Rebecca Lang, 425-387-8920 or rlang@ywcaworks.org;
• Central County: John Stevens, 425-374-6330 or JohnSt@ccsww.org;
• North County: Tami Krell, 425-231-3575 or TamiKrell@housinghope.org

The count began in 2006, when the county approved the “Everyone At Home Now” report – a strategy on ending Snohomish County homelessness by 2016. For detailed information about the PIT count and homelessness in Snohomish County, contact Robin Hood at 425-388-7266.