From Thursday, Jan. 25, through Wednesday, Jan. 31, those experiencing homelessness within Jefferson County will be surveyed as part of the nationwide Point in Time count, in an attempt to gain a better sense of the extent of unhoused people both locally and throughout the country.

The Point in Time count’s annual date coincides with what is considered one of the coldest weeks of the year. Organizers invite the participation of those living in tents and cars, in the woods, in trailers not connected to utilities, and in other places not designed for full-time human habitation.

The count aims to provide policymakers and the public with a more informed perspective on unhoused people. It also strives to aid in providing housing, community services, and resources to those experiencing homelessness, since the official count is used to determine how much funding Jefferson County receives to address these issues.

“The count is intended to reach out to people experiencing homelessness, and get a snapshot of where (those) people are, and who is homeless,” said Kathy Morgan, director of Housing and Community Development for Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP). “We also take the time to offer services and resources. The count is vital to ensure Jefferson County gets the funding it needs, to support things like building a new shelter, and providing permanent supportive housing to our neighbors in need.”

OlyCAP partners with agencies and groups that work with the unhoused — including Dove House Advocacy Services and Bayside Housing Services, as well as with REAL (Recovery, Empowerment, Advocacy, Linkage) and LEAD (Law Enforcement Assistance Diversion) teams — to help do outreach at outdoor camps.

Those living in shelters, including transitional shelters operated by Bayside and Dove House and the shelter operated by OlyCAP, also are counted as sheltered homeless.

Jefferson County’s counted numbers of unhoused people have varied between a record low of 97 in 2014, to a high of 355 individuals and families in 2015.

During the count, OlyCAP staff plan to visit food banks and other places frequented by those experiencing homelessness. Rural areas have a full week to complete the Point in Time count.

For more information, or to share ideas for outreach, contact Allison Arthur, senior housing manager for OlyCAP, by phone at 360-385-2571, ext..6349, or via email at aarthur@olycap.org, with the words “PIT Count 2024” in the subject line.