Western Wisconsin Nonprofits Seek Volunteers for Point in Time

A number of Western Wisconsin organizations are seeking volunteers as they prepare for the biannual Point-in-Time homeless count.

Twice each year, homeless shelters and community organizations count the number of unsheltered individuals in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Jackson Counties. The goal is to determine how many unhoused individuals are living in the region.

Organizations like Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Hope Gospel mission, Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, Catholic Charities, and Bolton Refuge House then work to connect those individuals with assistance and services they need. The data gathered is also sent to federal agencies to inform future policy decisions aimed at reducing the unhoused population.

This winter’s Point-in-Time count will begin on January 28th. After the initial overnight count, the organizations will spend about a week conducting a post-count survey and officially verify the numbers in March.

Previous counts have shown a growing unhoused population in the Western Wisconsin region, especially in Eau Claire. Last year’s January count found 34 unsheltered individuals, though officials say the night of the count was particularly cold and allowed shelters to accept an overflow. The prior July count found 104 unsheltered individuals.

One of the major challenges to addressing affordable housing concerns in the city is its vacancy rate. Eau Claire’s vacancy rate is a little over 4%, below both the state average and typical healthy levels. Providing affordable housing with a low vacancy rate means constructing new developments, a time consuming and costly process.

The nonprofits and community groups organizing the Point-in-Time count are seeking volunteers to assist. Anybody interested in helping can register on Western Dairyland’s website.