UC Residents Can Help With This Week’s Homeless Count

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Crossville Housing Authority need Upper Cumberland citizens to help count the homeless population.

The Point in Time Homeless Count started Tuesday night and runs until Friday. Homeless Service Case Manager Cindy Turner said citizens across the Upper Cumberland have already began to step up and help with the count. Turner said the count has real implications concerning federal funding.

“HUD does require this count once a year,” Turner said. “All counties do this count. This is what HUD looks at to see what needs are in each county. So, of course, getting our homeless population, they look at that to see if there are any funds needed for homeless programs.”

The Crossville Housing Authority is asking anyone who can help count those living in a place not meant to be a long-term shelter to contact them.

“All counties are stepping up and getting counts,” Turner said. “We do have a problem with a homeless here. Our goal is to also get the information out for the Heart Hot Line. That’s the hotline they can call to get a referral to let them know what programs are available to them.”

After the counts are wrapped up on Friday, the information is sent to HUD who uses it as a snapshot of the homeless population in certain areas to help determine funding.

“If you do see anyone or know anyone that is homeless on the night of the 23rd, if you can get the information to me, I can get with them to get that information and hopefully get a count for that person,” Turner said.

Turner said if you are homeless you may have resources available to you that you are unaware of. She said you can reach out to the Crossville Housing Authority or HUD or call the Heart Hotline.