January 17, 2019
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Rose Burton, Administrator, Howard County Office of Community Partnerships, Department of Community Resources and Services, 410-313-5958
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) will conduct its annual Point In Time (PIT) Count on Thursday, January 24 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight to estimate the number of homeless or unstably housed individuals in Howard County. Six teams, comprised of DCRS staff and volunteers, will walk pre-defined trails throughout major areas of the county to locate individuals who are living in emergency shelters and motels, living outdoors or living in cars or other places not meant for long-term human habitation.
“The annual Point In Time (PIT) Count is an important event for Howard County to understand the size and scope of our homeless population,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “I want to thank the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services and those who volunteered to assist us in this endeavor. We have people in our county who are fighting addiction, mental health challenges and other difficulties which can lead to homelessness. I know that together, we can embrace them with compassion, preserve their dignity and erase the stigma of their circumstances.”
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires all communities to conduct a PIT count on a single night during the last week of January each year. The information is used to establish the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and to help policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of making homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring in the county.
“The annual Point In Time (PIT) Count helps us monitor and adapt our services to meet the needs of those who are experiencing homelessness in Howard County,” said DCRS Director Jackie Scott.
New this year, a Howard County Counts Resource Fair will be held prior to the PIT Count, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at DCRS’ office, located at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia.
“By incorporating a resource fair this year, we will not only identify those in need, but we can immediately begin to address the complex needs of these individuals and families,” said Rose Burton, administrator of DCRS’ Office of Community Partnerships, which coordinates the annual count. “The Fair, which focuses on the needs of homeless youth and families, will offer easy access to benefits enrollment, employment services, health screenings, veteran services and more.”
Free hairstyles and haircuts, clothing giveaways for adults and children, and free food and beverages will also be available. Onsite partners include the Howard County Health Department, Office of Workforce Development, Community Action Council of Howard County, Howard County Department of Social Services, The MultiService Center, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Head Start, Journey to Better Health, Success In Style, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and others.
For questions or more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HoCoCounts or contact Keisha Benjamin, at 410-313-6400 (voice/relay) or [email protected].