HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Guam Homeless Coalition is looking for 300 community volunteers to conduct the 2024 point-in-time (PIT) homeless count, which will take place Jan. 26, 2024.
The PIT count is an annual national event required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assess the housing, health care and social needs of those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
On Guam, the count is conducted by the Guam Homeless Coalition, which is composed of nonprofit organizations, government agencies and representatives from the private sector.
“The count is vital in determining the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in our community on any given night, defining existing resources available, and identifying gaps to better serve the homeless population,” a news release from the coalition stated.
To volunteer for the PIT count, a resident must be at least 18 years old and attend a five-hour training session before the actual count.
The training will focus on best practices on how to engage with homeless individuals, how to administer the PIT count survey and the logistics of the event.
“Volunteer training is mandatory, regardless of prior participation in the count,” the coalition’s release stated.
Training sessions will be hosted at the Sinajana mayor’s office on the following days and times:
• Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Guam Homeless Coalition release stated that volunteers can register online at https://bit.ly/41gN3pI or by visiting the 2024 PIT count webpage at https://guamhomelesscoalition.org/2024-pit-count/.
“For more information about how you can support and donate to the PIT count or to learn more about the Guam Homeless Coalition, visit www.guamhomelesscoalition.org or email guamhomelesscoalition@gmail.com,” the release added.
A homeless person pushes a cart filled with belongings along Marine Corps Drive Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in East Hagåtña.
