Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Division of Community Action are seeking volunteers to assist with the 2015 Essex County Point in Time Survey. This annual survey is a one-day count of individuals and families who are homeless and living on the street, in emergency shelters or in transitional housing. Essex County is mandated to conduct this census by the federal Office of Housing and Urban Development, which utilizes the statistics gathered to determine how federal aid to help the homeless is distributed.
“We have conducted the Point in Time Survey every year since 2007 to identify homeless individuals and families in Essex County. It is important that we obtain the most comprehensive and thorough information because the size of the population we identify will determine the amount of federal aid we receive. The more accurate our numbers, the more resources we will have to provide assistance to this vulnerable population,” DiVincenzo said. “This year we are seeking volunteers from the public to help us to conduct the Point in Time Survey so we can maximize our outreach to find and count this segment of the population,” he added.
In order to volunteer, participants must be at least 18 years old and complete a one-day training session held by the Essex County Division of Community Action.
On the day of the survey, which will be held on Wednesday, January 28th, Essex County employees, social service and faith based organizations, and volunteers will visit parks, soup kitchens, shelters and other areas where homeless congregate to conduct the Point in Time Survey. Those conducting the survey will be accompanied by law enforcement officers if necessary.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Division of Community Action at essexhsac@dedte.essexcountynj.org or 973-395-8549.
