Starting today (Jan. 25) and through Wednesday, Feb. 1, the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count will take place. PIT seeks to quantify the number of homeless people, including those who currently staying with friends/family, “couch-hopping” without a permanent place to live, those sleeping in a car/fish house/camper/etc. or those sleeping or camping outside.
The count itself will take place tonight, but people can get counted and take an anonymous survey between today and Feb. 1. The PIT Count is important because it lets community leaders know the needs of people experiencing homelessness, helps state leaders create plans to prevent and end homelessness and gets more money for programs that offer more affordable housing options.
There are several ways to be counted. Between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26, 27, 30, 31 and Feb. 1 at the Wright County Health & Human Services Office (3650 Braddock Ave. NE), 24/7 through Feb. 1 at the Buffalo Salvation Army (2051 50th St. NE, Door 2) or by calling Wright County Community Action (320) 963-6500, Love Inc. Big Woods (763) 682-2550 or Lutheran Social Services between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 320-251-7700. At Wright County Health & Human Services, backpacks/personal care items will be available and a $25 gas card upon an unduplicated interview at the Salvation Army for those who make an appointment to pick up by calling (651) 440-1687.