Suncoast Partnership seeking volunteers to help with annual Point-in-Time count of homeless individuals, set for Jan. 24

Training sessions planned for survey takers

A homeless man holds a cardboard sign asking for help on the street. Image courtesy of HUD

In keeping with federal guidelines requiring the annual collection of data on the numbers of homeless individuals nationwide, the 2022 Point-In-Time (PIT) count for Manatee and Sarasota counties will be conducted over the night of Monday, Jan. 24, the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness has announced.

The survey will start at 3 p.m. on Jan. 24 and end at 3 p.m. on Jan. 25, a news release says.

“The survey information collected during the PIT count provides the community, HUD [the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] and other organizations,” such as the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “with a valuable snapshot of data to help analyze community trends for those experiencing homelessness. This can help assist in community planning, increase awareness,” and influence funding decisions, the release explains.

Volunteers are needed to assist with taking the survey and entering data, the release adds.

Survey takers go out on the streets, to community feedings, and to other pre-identified areas to complete surveys, the release says. “For those in volunteering for this role, training is mandatory,” the release emphasizes.

The following dates and locations are available to choose from for such training:

  • Tuesday, Jan. 11: 9 to 11 a.m. at the Glasser Shoenbaum Campus, located at 1750 17th St. in Sarasota.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 11: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Glasser Shoenbaum Campus, located at 1750 17th St. in Sarasota.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 12: 9 to 11 a.m. at the TSA Sarasota-Tuttle, located at 1701 S. Tuttle Ave. in Sarasota.
  • Thursday, Jan. 13: 1 to 3 p.m. at the TSA Venice, located at 1051 Albee Farm Road in Venice.
  • Friday, Jan. 14: 9 to 11 a.m. at North Port Services, located at 6919 Outreach Way in North Port 34287.

Individuals do not need to pre-register, the release points out. They may simply show up at the location of their choice. “Please remember [that] you only need to attend one of the above trainings,” the release stresses. If you wish to register, please click here.

Data entry volunteers work after the surveys are completed. Training for data entry volunteers will take place at a later date. “If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity,” the release adds, email spteh@suncoastpartnership.org.

Additionally, the Suncoast Partnership is accepting donations to purchase food cards for youth participating in the count, as well as other items, such as socks and toiletries for care bags, the release notes.

Anyone with questions may submit them to spteh@suncoastpartnership.org.