Annual Homeless Count Scheduled for January 25

— from San Juan County Communications —

San Juan County’s 2018 Point in Time Homeless Count will be conducted on Thursday, January 25. Count organizers and volunteers work with local family resource centers, food banks, emergency cold weather shelters, churches, healthcare providers, senior centers, libraries, the sheriff’s office, and many other community support service providers to conduct the count. The count, initiated by the State of Washington in 2005 (RCW43.185C.030), is conducted annually at the end of January.

This year San Juan County Health & Community Services is collaborating with the Resource Centers on each island to provide Point in Time Count volunteer training on the following dates:

San Juan Island Family Resource Center 1/16, 3 p.m.
Orcas Community Resource Center 11/18, 11:30 a.m.
Lopez Island Family Resource Center 1/23, 11 a.m.

The Department is also working with the Cold Weather Emergency Shelters on Orcas and San Juan to ensure the shelters are open the night of the count regardless of weather conditions to encourage participation.

Last year, the Point in Time Count identified 36 individuals living outdoors, in vehicles or abandoned buildings, and 60 individuals living in substandard structures without access to either drinking water, a restroom, bathing facilities, or the ability to cook hot food. There were 58 individuals also identified who were living in temporary, unstable living arrangements, often with family or friends.

If you have questions or would like to help with the count, please contact Ryan Page, San Juan County Affordable Housing Coordinator, Health & Community Services, 360-370-0590, or  ryanp@sanjuanco.com.