Preparations are underway in Chattooga County for the upcoming Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count, scheduled for January 26. The annual nationwide effort gathers critical data used to guide funding, services and support for individuals experiencing homelessness in local communities.

Training is beginning this week for the Chattooga County Count Coordinator, who will help ensure the county’s numbers are as accurate and complete as possible. As part of the preparation, community partners are being asked to share general locations of any known homeless encampments within the county using an online form. Officials say the more locations identified ahead of time, the better outreach teams can plan for the night of the count. Even if no one is currently present at a site, individuals often move, and someone may be there on the night of the count.

Organizers emphasize that this information will be used solely for planning and outreach for the PIT Count and will not be used for enforcement, removal or displacement. The goal, they say, is to approach the effort with respect, dignity and compassion while making sure no one is overlooked.

In the coming weeks, volunteers will also be recruited to serve as “enumerators” on the night of the count. These trained volunteers assist with outreach and data collection. More information and signup details will be released soon. Local officials say community partnership is essential to better understand and serve the needs of the county’s most vulnerable residents.