The fifth official statewide homeless point in time count (PIT) will be conducted on January 26, 2011 throughout all of Vermont.

The Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC) and The Chittenden County Continuum of Care are again joining efforts to conduct the count. The Continuums of Care are comprised of local homeless & human service organizations that apply for federal funds to address homelessness in our communities. These efforts will be supported by the Agency of Human Services and the Vermont State Housing Authority.

The fifth coordinated Point-in-Time Count will collect data to be used by the Balance of State, Chittenden County, and local continuums in their funding applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as to provide a statewide baseline for measuring the success of housing and supportive services used to reduce the number of people who are homeless in Vermont.

Local CoC’s have participated in trainings the past year to support best practices. Refresher trainings will be held on January 5, 2011 and following CoC meetings. The training meetings will focus on recent amendments required by HUD.

For a copy of the Data Collection form or for additional information and instructions on how to administer the survey and where to send it after the count please go to HelpingtoHouse.org or contact:

Melinda Bussino      Balance of State CoC Co-Chair         badicmelinda@together.net

Mary Ellen Mendl    Chittenden County CoC Chair           maryellen@unitedwaysvt.org

Daniel Blankenship Vermont State Housing Authority      daniel@vsha.org