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Help sought for homeless count

JANESVILLE — If you've never participated in Rock County's twice-annual homeless count, a summer night might be a nice way to try it out.

The Rock County Homeless Intervention Task Force conducts two 24-hour counts each year in Rock and Walworth counties. One takes place in January and the other in July.

Workers make phone calls and tally the number of people living in local shelters or staying at hotels with emergency-housing vouchers.

Volunteers also work outdoors. They sweep the county searching for families and individuals living outdoors or in cars.

The count is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The results help determine the needs of the local homeless population, said Marc Perry, director of planning and development for Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties.

The numbers are used for grant writing and applications for state or federal money for programming.

The count also serves to increase awareness of Rock County's homeless population, Perry said.

Just by the act of searching, volunteers spread the word about the issue. They talk to clerks at 24-hour stores, gas stations and restaurants.

They look through laundromats and talk with bartenders in the wee hours of the morning.

Volunteers might find people without homes lingering in such businesses.

The volunteers also distribute care packages to homeless people.

The packages include personal hygiene products, packaged food and water. They also include contact information for local emergency services.

About 115 volunteers helped with the last count, which took place in January. That was a record number of volunteers, Perry said.

The task force at that time counted 403 individuals living without homes in Rock County.

Volunteers still are welcome to join this month's count. Volunteers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must sign waivers.