BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As winter intensifies, volunteers with the Homeless Alliance of Western New York are conducting surveys at sheltered and unsheltered locations for 24 hours. The annual Point-in-Time Count (PIT Count) aims to provide resources to those experiencing homelessness.
About 150 volunteers were assigned to 50 routes Thursday night, engaging with people and families across Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties who appeared to be experiencing homelessness.
"Tonight, we recruited about 150 volunteers, and they're being assigned to 50 different routes," said Kexin Ma, executive director of the Homeless Alliance of Western New York.
"They'll go out onto the street and try to see if people experiencing homelessness are out there," said Ma.
Volunteers conducted short surveys, collected demographic information and offered immediate assistance to those in need. I tagged along as Ma and Matthew Schaefer visited areas in Buffalo and Cheektowaga to find people.
During the count, volunteers distributed hand warmers, toiletries, food and other essentials donated by the community. They also provided information about Code Blue shelters for anyone needing immediate housing.
The data collected impacts federal funding and policies that support homeless services across the region.
"Congress is deciding next year's funding budget right now, and it's very important," said Ma. "It's a great reminder for the polling time count to remind how many people are experiencing homelessness across the whole country."
WATCH: Volunteers conduct 24-hour homeless count across WNY to secure federal funding
Federal funding totals $24 million and helps support people moving into permanent housing. Without this funding, the organization said, thousands of people in the region will experience homelessness again.
The Homeless Alliance says the PIT Count not only tracks trends but also determines who needs the most help and whether the region is making progress in addressing homelessness.
