Baltimore's annual Homeless Point-in-Time Count needs volunteers to canvass neighborhoods, hospitals, and other places where people experiencing homelessness can be found.
The Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Human Services’ Homeless Services Program is planning for its annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, which will take place this month, and needs volunteers to help.
The PIT Count is an important service engagement and data collection strategy that helps to advance “The Journey Home,” Baltimore’s plan to end homelessness. The PIT Count helps Baltimore to identify individuals, families, and youths experiencing homelessness and connect them to much-needed housing and support services. It also helps the mayor’s office gather important data on the needs and characteristics of people experiencing homelessness. This information is used to inform community planning and the development of effective interventions to end homelessness in Baltimore.
During the week of Jan. 27, volunteers are needed to canvass neighborhoods, hospitals, service provider’s locations, and other places that people experiencing homelessness can be found in Baltimore to administer surveys to individuals experiencing homelessness.
There are three ways volunteers can get involved:
Street Count
Small groups of volunteers will be led by an experienced homeless service provider in canvassing streets and outdoor locations to survey individuals experiencing homelessness. This shifts take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27, and 6:30 pm to 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28. Volunteers must be available for both nights. On the first night of the street count, volunteers will receive training and dinner.
Daytime Site-Based Count
Small groups of volunteers will be led by an experienced homeless service provider in surveying individuals at community sites such as the Beans and Bread Center or Paul’s Place. These shifts take place each day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, to Wednesday, Jan. 30. Site-based volunteers will attend a webinar training the week before the PIT Count. The webinar will be recorded for volunteers who cannot attend live. You will receive a registration link for the webinar a week before the training.
Leader Positions
Service providers, individuals with PIT Count experience, or those interested in taking on more of a leadership role can volunteer to be a team leader for the two-night street count on Jan. 27-28, or at a daytime site-based location during the Jan. 28-30 time period. Team leaders will receive a more detailed, in-person training and will lead teams of five to seven volunteers during the count.
All interested volunteers may sign up on our registration page.
Your cooperation and time are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brian.Reynolds@baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-6807.