The United Way of the Plains will be conducting the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count on Thursday.
This is part of a national effort by professionals and volunteers to estimate the number of people in America who do not have safe and stable housing. The results are reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to study national trends and to meet grant requirements. The count is used locally in Wichita and Sedgwick County to make funding decisions, reach people who need services and increase awareness of the problem of homelessness.
Volunteers will be wearing high visibility safety vests and visiting locations where homeless people are likely to be, and they will be conducting interviews with the people they encounter. More than 150 volunteers signed up for training to conduct the count.
The count will be conducted from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. across Sedgwick County.
The results of last year’s count:
- In Wichita and Sedgwick County, 691 persons were identified as homeless (those living in emergency shelter, transitional housing, safe haven, or places not meant for human habitation, such as in cars or on the streets).
- The total number of homeless persons decreased by 12 persons, or a 1.5% decrease when compared with 2023.
- Of the 691 individuals identified as homeless, 188 or 21% were unsheltered. This was an increase of 25% over those counted as unsheltered in 2023.
