News Room

News Release

	Contact:
December 29, 2008	Mark S. Cox, APR Director of Public Communications 382-6241 (WK)
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For immediate release	Heath E. Covey Public Information Coordinator 382-6241 (WK)

CHESAPEAKE TO CONDUCT 2009 HOMELESS POINT-IN-TIME COUNT

CHESAPEAKE – The Chesapeake Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is coordinating the 2009 Point in Time Count of homeless persons in the City of Chesapeake.  The count will begin at 6:00 p. m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 and continue through 6:00 p. m. Thursday, January 29, 2009.

The count is designed to gauge the impact of homelessness in Chesapeake by finding out how many people and families are homeless.   The count will also help determine the main causes of homelessness.  The results are expected to be released by the end of March.

As a condition of receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding, localities are required to conduct a “point in time” count of homeless individuals every two years during the last seven days of January.  The City receives approximately $109,796 from HUD.  The City budgets approximately $177,158 annually to contract with numerous community agencies that provide housing and services to the homeless.

The Point in Time Count has evolved from the Chesapeake Coalition for the Homeless Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, which calls for efforts by the entire community, including government, faith-based, private and nonprofit organizations, and local businesses, to partner and find solutions to end homelessness. 

Due to the wide geographic area that will need to be covered during the count, it is vital that the CCH secure additional assistance from as many volunteers as possible. People interested in volunteering to work this year’s count should contact the Office of Housing at (757) 382-6925.  Volunteers must attend a 20 minute volunteer training session on January 28, 2009 @ 5:30 p.m.  Register by telephone by calling Jean Taylor at (757) 382-6925 or online at the City’s website, CityofChesapeake.net.

In 2007, homeless persons counted totaled 129 during the 24-hour count period from January 24 to January 25, 2007.  That number included 52 persons in families with children and 77 single adults.  Of the 129 persons who were homeless that day, 43 (33%) were unsheltered.   Survey results were also compiled from hotel/motel owners which indicate that 174 persons (90 adults and 84 children) were considered homeless.  Of those 174 persons, 38 families were counted and 71 children attend the City’s public school system.  Although this information is useful, it could not be included in the 2007 Point In Time Count, according to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Standards & Methods for Point-in-Time Counts.

Statistics compiled from the City’s only emergency shelter, Our House Families, indicated that during FY 2007, 529 families were turned away.  This group consisted of 1,459 total persons; 625 of these were adults and 834 were children.  Of the 529 families turned away, 188 were Chesapeake residents. 

To request more information about the event, interested people may contact Ms. Jean Taylor, Office Coordinator, City of Chesapeake Office of Housing at 382-6925 or visit the City’s website at www.cityofchesapeake.net.