Sponsored by the Continuum of Care for the city and Racine County, a bi-annual count of people who are homeless on the street will be held July 27 and through July 28.

During the count, volunteer and social service providers searh for and survey people living on the streets.

“Though it only represents a snapshot of homelessness at a point in time, the information collected during the count helps service providers find gaps in services, which helps them identify how to best serve the homeless in Racine,” according to a press release by the Continuum of Care.

The count also allows social service agencies to use the data to apply for grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding pays for emergency shelters, transitional and permanent housing, and support services. The count is needed as a condition of accepting the funding, which totals almost $2 million.

The Continuum of Care is looking for volunteers to help with the count. Volunteers in the City of Racine are asked to meet at 10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave. Volunteers for the county will meet at 10 p.m. July 27 at Dover, 23303 Church Rd.

To find more information about the count and to sign up to volunteer, visit racinecoc.org/point-in-time/. Please contact Pamala Handrow atphandrow@safehavenofracine.org  or 262-637-9559 with any questions.

 

Denise Lockwood has an extensive background in traditional and non-traditional media. She has written for Patch.com, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Kenosha News.