Volunteer for the 2020 Point in Time Count

It’s time to start preparing for the Point In Time Count, an annual census of the homeless population in Austin and Travis County. The PIT Count is a project of the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, which aims to recruit 800 volunteers to fan out into the community on the early morning of Jan. 25 to try to count all those who slept outside the night before. The count is conducted in teams that are split up into designated geographic areas. In a press release, ECHO Executive Director Matthew Mollica calls the PIT Count “a crucial instrument for measuring our community’s progress towards federal benchmarks for ending and preventing homelessness.” This year, PIT Count volunteers will use an efficient new digital survey system. Volunteers will also distribute care packages that include snacks, toiletries, and warm socks and hats. Says PIT Count volunteer coordinator Axton Nichols, “Volunteers are vital to the success of the PIT Count, and it’s a great way for people to contribute towards the mission of ending homelessness in our community.” Volunteers can sign up to participate in the 2020 PIT Count at ECHO’s website, austinecho.org/PIT. Before participating, all volunteers must attend a mandatory training, either in person or online.