At least 30 volunteers in Lyon County are needed almost immediately to help the state complete its one-day “snapshot” count of homeless people.
The count will be done across the state on Wednesday, with training for volunteers planned on Tuesday.
“This is a short, short time frame,” said United Way of the Flint Hills Executive Director Duane Dreiling, whose agency was asked last week to organize the local count. “Our role in that is recruiting volunteers that will help us canvass the entire county to identify homeless people within our boundaries.”
The count is being done through the sponsorship of the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services disability and behavioral health services division.
“It is estimated 1,800 to 4,500 people in rural areas of Kansas are experiencing homelessness,” Dreiling said. The count will “narrow that down and get a true picture of the homeless in Kansas. We really don’t know what to expect.”
Volunteers will be sent out to canvass the county in two-person teams, or larger teams, to help ensure their safety, he said. They will be provided with aerial maps, with areas divided into assigned quadrants.
“This is going to be good information for our shelter and our city, so we have a true picture of homelessness,” he said. “(The count) will give the ability to access funds to address this situation in Lyon County.”
Dreiling has talked with Lyon County Sheriff Gary Eichorn to see if his officers have noticed people living in abandoned houses, under bridges, or in other areas not considered to be housing.
“Right now, he says he really doesn’t see people living under bridges,” Dreiling said.
A similar check with Emporia police is planned as groundwork for the count is built, and citizens also are asked to call the United Way, 342-7564, if they are aware of people living in homeless circumstances.
“There’s always the opportunity for people to self-report,” Dreiling added.
Among the information expected to be gathered on Wednesday is the length of time the person has been homeless, family size, veteran status, where the person stayed the night of the count, how many times the person has been homeless, and whether HIV/AIDS-related illness, mental health, substance abuse or domestic violence contributed to the homelessness.
Lyon and Greenwood counties are among the 40 counties involved in the project, which is part of “Everybody Counts!” Month.
People who want to volunteer may call Dreiling at 342-7564.