CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Homeless Coalition will be changing its volunteer counting process for the annual “point-in-time count” of people experiencing homelessness. Instead of entering homeless encampments and areas, the volunteers will collect data from individuals as they are served by local organizations, so that volunteers can avoid entering encampments after dark.
The Clarksville Neighborhood & Community Development Department announced that the counting will be conducted in Clarksville on Jan. 28, with follow-up questions through the week.
Why count homeless populations?
The national effort is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to estimate the number of Americans without safe, stable housing. This process better serves the community by determining the specific needs of these individuals. It is also a tool used to evaluate the VA’s progress towards ending homelessness among veterans.
According to Neighborhood & Community Services Director Michelle Austin, “This information helps secure funding and resources to address homelessness, guide service delivery, and inform strategies to reduce homelessness in our community.”
HUD requires that the local Continuum of Care organization, which is a planning body responsible for coordinating homelessness services in a geographic area, conduct this annual count. These local counts include those in emergency shelters, transitional housing, safe havens, heating shelters, and hospitals.
Why change the process?
The local Continuum of Care organization is Clarksville Neighborhood & Community Services. At their meeting Monday, the committee discussed the annual count, including safety concerns with visiting encampments.
“These areas are the homes of the homeless; it’s where they live at the moment. Many of them experienced trauma. Sending strangers there after dark will be triggering for them and dangerous for us,” Project Manager Lavon Bracey said.
Austin said volunteers will instead stay near homeless shelters and ask questions such as, “Where did you sleep the evening of January 28?” If they did not sleep in a safe and secure location, they will be asked additional questions to understand their circumstances and needs.
There are also concerns that people are being undercounted since the annual number has historically been lower than that of database counts. To combat this issue, Urban Ministries will be helping the following week by asking their homeless where they slept on the 28th. Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville will also count those being discharged.
Councilperson Deanna McLaughlin asked if the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office could be called to add to the count, but Gracey said they can’t count incarcerated homeless people, even if they are released and have nowhere to go.
Participating organizations
Community partners active in the count include organizations such as United Way, Clarksville Area Urban Ministries, Loaves and Fishes, YAIPAK, R41, Montgomery County Veteran’s Coalition, Operation Stand Down, Irene Center for Hope, Department of Veteran Affairs, Manna Cafe, Community Action Agency, Mental Health Co-op, Salvation Army, Clarksville Police Department, and CMCSS Families in Transition Program.
Local non-profit staff are being trained online on Tuesday, Jan. 21, on how to engage in conversations and ask questions of homeless people. Agencies who wish to register can email at community@cityofclarksville.com.
Correction: The changes are being implemented by the Clarksville Homeless Coalition. Lavon Bracey’s name was misspelled. Also, training will be provided to participating agencies.