Volunteers needed for July Point-in-Time Homelessness Census

GREEN BAY – The city of Green Bay, in partnership with Freedom House Ministries, area shelters, service providers and the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition, is calling on community members to volunteer for the upcoming Point-in-Time count — a nationwide census that records the number of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night.

“It’s really important for our community to capture what the situation and what the homeless population really looks like in terms of numbers and composition so that we can make sure we’re making the right decisions for funding… that is really going to provide serves that will meet the needs of the people we’re finding,” said Jennifer Schmohe, executive director of Freedom House Ministries.

The overnight unsheltered count will take place from the night of Wednesday, July 22, into the morning of Thursday, July 23.

By gathering accurate data, the community can better understand trends in homelessness, advocate for essential federal funding and guide local housing policy to support our unhoused neighbors.

“The numbers should be used to justify increases or decreases in the types of housing services and types of housing units that are available in any one community,” Schmohe said. “So for example, if we’re seeing a lot of folks on the street that are single households, then we know that we should have more services coming around these individuals to try and move them, as they wish, from the street into housing.”

Last July, dedicated volunteers counted 113 people living without shelter in the area.
The upcoming count relies heavily on volunteers to ensure that every person in the community is seen, heard and helped.

Schmohe said she expects this year’s count to be higher.

“I’d say there’s two factors,” Schmohe said. “One is what our shelters have seen in terms of rise in demand and requests for services. Whether it’s a family shelter or a single shelter, there has been an increase in requests, so I think that’s going to be a leading indicator.

Secondly, we know that the cost of housing has steadily risen and the availability of housing that is affordable has not kept pace with the population growth and the demand for housing.”

During the Point-in-Time count, volunteers will sweep the county in sections and shifts, documenting the number of individuals who are unsheltered that night.

Throughout the week, data will also be collected from individuals who reach out for services and about the number of individuals who spent the night in a shelter.

All volunteers must be 18 years or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian. No prior experience is necessary, and all training materials will be provided to participants before the count.

“I am looking forward to leading this effort with my compassionate peers and hoping for the generosity of this community to show up to care for their neighbors who need help,” Schmohe said.

Community members who are unable to volunteer can still assist by spreading the word and following the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition and House of Hope on Facebook for updates.

Those ready to volunteer and look out for their neighbors can sign up by visiting bit.ly/4flr9e9.