Prince George’s County Receives Broad Support from Community Partners Counting the County’s Ho

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Jan. 30, 2015 - PRLog -- LANDOVER, Maryland – Over 200 volunteers and staff participated in Prince George’s County’s annual Point-In-Time (PIT) count of homeless individuals and families that was conducted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, from 6:00 a.m. until midnight.  This event was part of a nationwide effort to identify those experiencing homelessness in our communities.

Armed with advanced technology, along with experienced team leaders, volunteers and staff canvassed homeless encampments, parks, libraries, public transit areas, soup kitchens, shopping centers, eateries and other places known to be frequented by unsheltered homeless people during the cold winter months.  This year’s count has particular significance because of an expanded and strategic data collection effort targeting identification of veterans and unaccompanied youth, both of which are historically underreported in these types of enumerations.  The PIT is just one of many ways the County collects critical data about its most vulnerable residents and helps provide the narrative needed to truly understand and address the root causes of homelessness.

“The results of the PIT count will help to provide a snapshot of the sheltered and unsheltered homeless in the County and allow our Continuum of Care (CoC) providers to continue to plan and deliver a more effective system of homeless assistance programs and services,” said Gloria Brown, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, which serves as the lead administering agency for the CoC. Additionally, the PIT count provides an important opportunity to create broader partnerships and community awareness about homelessness, not only in Prince George’s County, but the surrounding Metropolitan area.

Support was heartfelt as community partners including the District Heights Youth Service Bureau, Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers, Promise Place, and Bladensburg Community Center held events to attract homeless youth throughout the county.  The Prince George’s County Public School’s Homeless Liaison’s Office also partnered to assist in identifying high school aged unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.  Individuals, businesses and community groups who could not participate in the count made donations of ready-to-eat food items, water, coats, socks, hats, gloves, blankets, and sleeping bags that were provided to the homeless.

For additional information about the annual Point-In-Time count, please contact Dee-Dee Bass Wilbon at (301) 909-7073.