Yearly ‘Point in Time’ tally of homeless slated for Jan. 29

Published 2:42 pm Saturday, January 3, 2015

The San Juan County “Point in Time Homeless Count” of 2015 will be conducted Thursday, Jan. 29.

Count organizers and volunteers work with local family resource centers, food banks, churches, healthcare providers, senior centers, libraries, the sheriff’s office, and many other community support service providers to conduct the count.

Initiated by the state of Washington in 2005, the Point in Time count is conducted at the end of January each year. Agencies not open on the day of the count are authorized to conduct the survey on a day of business closest to Jan. 29.

A year ago, 65 individuals were identified as homeless in San Juan County, 44 of whom were living out of doors, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings. The remaining 21 people were staying in temporary, unstable living arrangements, often with friends or family.

Results of previous counts can be viewed at: www.commerce.wa.gov/Programs/housing/Homeless/Pages/Annual-Point-In-Time-Count.aspx

For questions or if you would like to help with the count, contact Melanie Rollins, San Juan County Affordable Housing Coordinator, Health & Community Services, 378-4474, melanier@sanjuanco.com