TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The South Central Community Action Partnership asks local Idahoans for help in conducting housing insecurity surveys in South Central Idaho.
"The homeless problem… you don’t see it as much here because a lot of the homeless are not visible, but it’s a problem and it’s bigger than we think," said Randy Wastradowski, Community Services Director at South Central Community Action Partnership.
As of January 2020, Idaho had over 2,000 people experiencing homelessness, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The national Point-In-Time (PIT) count takes count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. The survey takes place annually, during the last ten days of January.
Getting an accurate count is crucial in ensuring the right amount of resources are allocated.
"The better count we get, the better reflection of the true number of people living with housing insecurity in our area, the more funds and resources we get to help address that issue," said Buddy Gharring, Board Member of Everybody House.
South Central Idaho community members can help by spreading the word and volunteering as a PIT Crew member. The PIT Crews will go out on Saturday, Jan. 29 in Twin Falls, to conduct surveys, hand out hot cocoa, coffee, donuts and gift cards. You can sign up through the Everybody House website to volunteer.
"A one day event that can have this huge impact on funding and resources in our area, it’s such a beautiful way for everyone of us to be able to make our community a better place for everyone to live," said Gharring.
