Hitting the Streets to Count the Homeless

 Michele Clock, PSG, holds up a marked map outlining a region she was responsible for checking.

Bleary-eyed with lack of sleep and bundled for the cold, hundreds of County employees hit the streets before dawn for the Point-In-Time homeless count Friday. The annual snapshot in time is designed to capture the number of people who literally have no roof over their head. The total tally is used to apply for federal funding to help this at-risk population.

County employees made up the largest group of volunteers, nearly a third of the total number. About 540 County employees registered to show up at one of 23 deployment centers in the region by 3:30 a.m. and begin scouting for homeless people from 4 to 7 a.m.

Several co-workers shared their impressions of the experience below. If you would like to add yours, please add them in the comments section.

Brian Hagerty, Community Services Group

“I went out on the Point-in-Time Count this morning with several fellow CSG Executive Office staff. We were assigned to the downtown area between Ash, 9^th, Broadway, and State. There were a surprisingly high number of homeless individuals in that area, most of whom had nothing but a piece of cardboard and a blanket. After spending several hours out on the street, I realized how fortunate I was to have a comfortable home, a steady job, good health, and a network of family & friends ready to help me if I fell on hard times.”

Supervisor Dave Roberts joined members from Interfaith Community Services surveying homeless individuals in Escondido for the "We All Count" San Diego Regional Task Force effort to end homelessness.

Paulina Bobenrieth, Health and Human Services Agency

“It was a fantastic experience in South Region with so many community partners, residents and County employees gathered at the wee hours of the morning. We were all united, knowing that we were going to help bring resources to those with most need.”   

Supervisor Greg Cox sits on a sidewalk downtown interviewing someone as part of the Point-In-Time homeless count.

Tiffany Anderson, Public Safety Group

“As I was dressing this morning in multiple layers to ensure I did not get cold while I was out counting the homeless along my route, it struck me how incredibly fortunate I am to wake up in a warm bed, with a roof over my head and cupboards full of food. I cannot fathom the kind of life where there is so much uncertainty about basic needs: where I will sleep at night, will I be too cold/hot, when will I get my next meal? I am glad I was able to participate in a program aimed at bringing more resources to our region in order to combat homelessness in our communities; I simply hope that my small effort will go toward ensuring someone no longer has to worry about the many uncertainties that go hand-in-hand with their current situation.”

Melanie Tylke, Planning & Development Services 

“As a recent graduate of UCSD, it was great to contribute to this national research effort, where you know the data is needed and will be used to help make a difference in our research and funding initiatives across the nation.”