(Press Release) The Department of Administration (DOA) announces that communities across Wisconsin will be conducting a count today of the number of individuals who are homeless in the state. In 2012, homeless shelters across Wisconsin provided emergency shelter to 18,802 citizens. DOA provided $2,915,167 in grants to 112 shelters to support our homeless population.
“This count helps decision makers on the state and national levels make informed choices about our homeless programs,” said Secretary Mike Huebsch. “In Wisconsin, we support 112 local shelter programs that help individuals who are homeless in our communities. They provide crucial care to our citizens and families in need.”
Today’s point-in-time count is part of the national effort by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each count is carried out locally, often by homeless shelter service providers, churches, youth groups and other non-profit organizations. This point-in-time count identifies the number of individuals in homeless shelters, as well as those who are living on the street. Once the count is complete, the shelters report the information to DOA, which in turn reports the data to HUD.
Volunteers will not only be counting individuals in their communities, they also encourage the individuals living on street to seek shelter and other services that are available to them.
