Hillsborough County, FL – On Thursday, February 28, 2019, nearly 500 community volunteers will deploy from eight locations across Hillsborough County to conduct the annual Hillsborough County Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count.
The homeless count data, collected by Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI) and partnering Tampa/Hillsborough County Continuum of Care member organizations, will provide a snapshot of what the homeless population currently looks like in Hillsborough County. These statistics will be used to allow community planners to better understand what services are currently needed in the community, in an effort to implement the housing solutions necessary to reduce the length of time a person is homeless as well as the number of people experiencing homelessness in Hillsborough County.
Event details are as follows:
•The homeless count will be conducted in three shifts. Volunteers will report to their assigned deployment location at the beginning of the shift, then disperse into the field approximately 30 minutes later. The shifts are:
•7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
•10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
•3:00 PM to 08:00 PM
•Volunteers will visit encampments, meal sites, shelters, and other locations frequented by our local neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. Those staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing will be included in the count as well.
•Data will be collected through a brief survey and observation, providing a snapshot of the homeless population in our community during a single, 24-hour period.
Sparkman Wharf (615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602) will serve as the Point-In-Time Count’s Command Center, providing a central location and an opportunity for the community to meet and engage with local, regional and national dignitaries and become informed regarding the issue of homelessness while the homeless count takes place throughout the County. Real-time data will be received and presented on Sparkman Wharf’s LED video display, keeping the community up-to-date with the data being collected during the PIT count.
Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative’s Chief Executive Officer, Antoinette D. Hayes-Triplett, will be available for interviews from 7:00 AM to 09:30 AM at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Knox Hall (500 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606) and from 01:30 PM to 02:30 PM at Sparkman Wharf (615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602).