CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless (TVCH) will begin its annual point-in-time (PIT) count to get a better understanding of the homeless population in East Tennessee on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires this count to stay updated on information about homeless populations across the nation.
This year, TVCH and partners will walk Wednesday night to survey homeless individuals in 12 rural counties.
TVCH said they record ethnicity, gender and age to gain insight and help with funding efforts.
"We want to know year by year what impact we're making with people experiencing homelessness," TVCH CEO Melanie Cordell told 10News. "We look at all of that to really make sure and understand better the story of individuals that we’re serving."
This data is also used to help social workers, government officials, public authorities and investors to create an effective plan for addressing homelessness in specific areas.
TVCH specifically looks to see if there has been an increase in homelessness among certain subgroups from the previous year.
"As far as the data goes, we are seeing an increase in substance abuse among the homeless population," Cordell said. "It is running rampant, but I do know that people are really wanting help. They need that hope back in their life again."
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