Maine's Continuum of Care and Homeless Hub Coordinators Prepare for 2025 Point In Time Count

The annual assessment of homelessness in maine each january is part of a nationwide effort required by the U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development.

AUGUSTA - Maine's Continuum of Care (COC) in collaboration with the state's nine regional Homeless Hub Coordinators, dozens of local service providers, local municipal staff, and hundreds of volunteers are now preparing for the next Point-In-Time of Homeless In Maine Count, set for late January of 2025.

The night of the count is January 22, 2025, with follow up days from January 23 through January 29, 2025.

This annual snapshot assessment of the state of homelessness in Maine is a requirement of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and plays a role in determining the amount of federal funding that is directed towards combating homelessness here.

"Homelessness is solvable and should not exist in Maine," said Dean Klein, Executive Director of the Maine Continuum of Care. "The annual Point-In-Time Count is an important collective effort being implemented throughout the state which frames the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and helps policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness."

The count, which seeks to survey those who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Maine, relies on a network of social service agencies and volunteers across the state. This network is responsible for finding those who may be living outside, in a vehicle or another place that may be unsafe for human habitation in the winter in Maine.

Improving both the reach of Maine's count into more remote places and the quality of the data being collected during the Point-In-Time is an important exercise that is helping to strengthen the state's network of service providers.

"The annual Point-In-Time Count and year-round data quality improvement should be complementary," said Region 1 Hub Coordinator Abigail Woods, of York County Community Action. "The Point-In-Time Count is important for federal funding and to bring broader attention to homelessness; year-round data collection is important for the most accurate possible picture of homelessness in Maine at any given time."

Built For Zero is a movement, a methodology, and proof of what is possible.

Over 100 cities and counties have committed to measurably ending homelessness for entire populations. Using data, these communities have changed how local homeless response systems work and the impact they can achieve.

Together, they are proving that we can build a future where homelessness is rare overall and brief when it occurs. Maine is among three states that are leading the way in using this approach to solve homelessness statewide, using a regional hub service model to assure the entire state is reached while focusing locally on volunteer efforts.

Guidance on covering the Point-In-Time Count for journalists, who report on housing and homelessness-related matters, can be found here: Guidance for journalists on how to cover the Point-in-Time count - Built For Zero.

During the count outreach workers and volunteers often provide essential items, including food, water, and clothing to the unhoused as they encounter them. A wide variety of organizations and individuals donate goods, time, and money to aid in reaching as many unsheltered people as possible. This work can provide them with some immediate aid but can also connect people to services and resources that can help them in finding shelter, housing, health care and work.

MaineHousing serves as the Collaborative Applicant and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agency for the Maine COC and administers federal homeless funding for Maine.

Here are some resources and ways you can help with the Point-In-Time Count or with homelessness in your area:

1. Volunteer to help with the Point-In-Time Count. To connect with an organization near you that works on the survey visit the Maine's Point-In-Time website and click on the, "volunteer" tab.

2. Make a financial contribution to aid those experiencing homelessness with important necessities by donating to an organization in your area. You can also donate online to help in the work of solving homelessness in Maine here. Or by scanning the QR code below.

3. If you know of someone who is experiencing homelessness encourage them to engage with local outreach workers before, during and after the count.

4. If you are experiencing homelessness, please be willing to answer survey questions and to engage with outreach workers. There may be resources you are unaware of and volunteers working on the survey may also have items available for you, including water, food and warm clothing.

"Making homelessness rare and brief in Maine when it happens is the aim of all of our work," said MaineHousing Director of Homeless Initiatives Kelly Watson. "The annual Point-In-Time Count is an important part of that work. We are grateful for the many people and organizations who make it happen and who work every day to find solutions to homelessness in Maine."

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