Youth Point In Time Count Underway In Marion County This Week

An annual count of young people experiencing homelessness in Marion County happened this week. 

This is the fourth year for the Youth and Young Adult Point in Time Count that identifies those under the age of 25 experiencing homelessness. The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, or CHIP, leads the count and Planning Manager Amy Gibson said it gives a  better understanding of where the gaps are.

"From those gaps then we can start to advocate for where funding is needed, or wherever resources are needed in our communities," Gibson said. 

Because of COVID, CHIP is unable to activate volunteers that would usually go to drop-in centers and other community organizations to help count. Instead organizations are being asked to assist with the surveys. 

"We are relying really on the organizations that serve young people to conduct the surveys and we know that is a heavy lift, just to add to their duties they already have," Gibson said. 

Last year, 142 young people were counted.

The effort is part of the city’s goal to end youth homelessness by 2023.