Sacramento County issued the following media advisory:
Who: Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance; multiple county and city law enforcement and park agencies; other community and business organizations.
What: Count of unsheltered homeless persons in Sacramento County.
When: Tuesday, January 29, 2008; 8:00 to 11:00 PM.
Where: 1725 28th Street, Sacramento.
A 'point in time' count of unsheltered homeless persons will be conducted by the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) along with other government, law enforcement, and community agencies in the evening hours of Tuesday, January 29, 2008. MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WISHING TO ACCOMPANY A TEAM OF COUNTERS MUST ARRIVE AT 1725 28TH STREET BY 6:45 PM. THEY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A TEAM AND TRAVEL TO A DESIGNATED LOCATION. THE COUNT WILL BEGIN AT 8:00 PM. WE ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN PROTECTING THE IDENTITY AND PRIVACY OF THE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS ENCOUNTERED.
As a condition of receiving Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding, counties are required to conduct a 'point in time' count of homeless individuals every two years during the last seven days of January. DHA, the major grantee for these funds, receives approximately $13.5 million annually to use to contract with numerous community agencies to provide housing and services for formerly homeless persons.
HUD now requires that counties covering a large geographical area employ particular research models that include tests of statistical significance. DHA is partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Research Unit and contractors experienced with doing statistical counts in other counties. As a result, the count will be targeted to particular areas chosen through a random selection process.
In addition to meeting HUD requirements, this count will help DHA statistically determine the number of unsheltered homeless persons in Sacramento County; help with planning for the number and types of housing (e.g. shelter, transitional living or permanent supportive housing); determine the kinds of services they need; and provide data for the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
This is a community-wide effort involving DHA, Sacramento County Sheriff Department, Sacramento City Police Department, Citrus Heights Police Department, Rancho Cordova Police Department, Folsom Police Department, the Regional Transit Police Department, Downtown Partnership Guides, Sacramento County Park Rangers and Sacramento City Park Rangers. Also more than 400 individuals have volunteered including employees from the county, City of Sacramento, emergency shelters and dozens of other agencies.
DAY OF EVENT: Contact Lucinda Serynek, Communications and Media Officer, Department of Human Assistance, 916-997-5998.Contact: Lucinda Serynek, 916/875-3736, 916/997-5998.
Lucinda Serynek, 916/875-3736, 916/997-5998.
