Hillsborough County, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2024) - It will take more than 450 more volunteers to conduct the annual Hillsborough County Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Community volunteers across Hillsborough County will deploy from seven locations on Thursday to conduct the PIT Count. The data, collected by Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI) and partnering Tampa/Hillsborough County Continuum of Care member organizations, will be used to help implement housing solutions to reduce the length of time and the number of people experiencing homelessness.
Hillsborough County is helping THHI recruit more volunteers to canvass the entire community. Residents can register to volunteer here.
Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602, will serve as the PIT Count's Command Center, providing a central location where the community can engage with local, regional, and national dignitaries and become educated on the issue of homelessness during the count.
Media opportunities will be available at the Hyde Park United Methodist Church deployment site, 500 W. Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606, starting at 6:30 a.m.
The homeless count is divided into two shifts, 7 a.m. to noon and 3 to 8 p.m. Volunteers will report to their assigned deployment location at the beginning of the shift, then disperse into the field.
Volunteers will visit encampments, meal sites, shelters, and other locations frequented by people who are experiencing homelessness. Those staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing will be included in the count as well. Data will be collected through a brief survey and observation, providing an overview of residents experiencing homelessness in the community during a single, 24-hour period.
Who: Hillsborough County and Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI)
What: Hillsborough County Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count
Where: 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
When: 7 a.m. to noon and 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22