KLCAS Seeks 'Point In Time' count assistance

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Press release by the Klamath Lake Community Action Services

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Every year in late January, organizations all over the United States conduct the Point In Time (PIT) count. This count collects information on people who are residing in emergency shelters, transitional housing or who are literally homeless.

The purpose of the count is to provide a snapshot of homelessness at the local level in order to provide information on local resources and support services and to identify and address barriers to housing and related supportive services.

In Klamath and Lake Counties, the PIT count is coordinated by Klamath & Lake Community Action Services.

Staff from the KLCAS organization as well as several community partners will collect data on the homeless population living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and homeless camps.

This year, the count will include individuals who are at imminent risk of homelessness and who are living “doubled-up”.  The information gathered includes demographic information such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, veteran status, and disability status.

“The data collected during this event can be used to access additional federal and state resources for local programs in Lake and Klamath Counties,” says Christina Zamora, Executive Director of Klamath and Lake Community Action Services. “This effort is more effective when community members are involved, particularly in the rural areas of north Klamath and Lake Counties.”

The PIT count will occur on January 28th through 30th in both Lake and Klamath Counties.

KLCAS is seeking volunteer team members to assist with data collection in 21 communities throughout both counties. Volunteers will be provided training on the data collection tool as well as a schedule to ensure as many community members who are currently homeless are included in the upcoming count.

If you are interested in volunteering to support this effort, please contact Christina Zamora at christinaz@klcas.org by October 31, 2020.