LYNN—The city’s Continuum of Care is holding its annual Point in Time and Housing Inventory Count of those experiencing homelessness in the area this week.
The count, which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. will help the city determine how many residents experience homelessness, what supplies they need and determine the scope of homelessness within Lynn.
The Lynn Shelter Association’s Street Outreach Team will conduct interviews with people who are experiencing homelessness using a survey form, or observation form if a survey or interview is not possible.
“A count on one of the coldest nights of the year can be very effective in raising public awareness of the challenges faced by homeless people without shelter,” a representative from the Lynn Continuum of Care (CoC) said. “These counts are important local benchmarks that help measure changes in need at the population and subpopulation level.”
The count was originally scheduled for Feb. 22 but was changed due to inclement weather.
The outreach team will go across the city from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to conduct its survey. The Point In Time (PIT) and Housing Inventory Count are both required by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development’s program that provides funding for their CoC program.
A PIT is an annual survey of homeless individuals in the United States that determines how many are in that area at that point in time.
“The survey works to connect individuals and families, including unaccompanied youth, with mainstream resources allowing them to move into and maintain permanent housing,” the representative said.
A CoC is a regional or local planning body that coordinates funding for housing and services for homeless families and individuals.
Established in 1995, the Lynn CoC coordinates homeless services, housing, and prevention activities for the City of Lynn.
It works in partnership with other CoCs on the North Shore to address issues of homelessness and identify ways the CoCs and their respective members can work together.
In collaboration with federal and state partners, the Lynn CoC has established a comprehensive Continuum of Care system within the City of Lynn. It is committed to meeting the goals of “Opening Doors,” the federal strategic plan to end homelessness and to continuing to support a CoC program as authorized by the HEARTH Act.
Counts are carried out by staff and volunteers who conduct surveys that allow people who are experiencing homelessness to express their specific needs and housing status.
There are 15 CoCs in Massachusetts based on region.
The department works with the continuums by funding permanent supported housing for over 800 formerly homeless individuals and families, conducting street outreach to homeless people living in places such as abandoned buildings, under bridges or in their cars.
This is done to get them into a more safe environment by working with CoC members to better coordinate homeless services in the jurisdiction and increase the number of housing units to be made available by leveraging other local and state resources to provide the services.
