The Point-in-Time count is a national campaign where cities across the nation attempt to have a head count of all homeless, both sheltered and unsheltered, living in the community.
“We not only count people, but we survey them and we learn we need to develop those types of resources to help them out,” Chad Wheeler, president of the South Plains Homeless Consortium, said.
Last year, Wheeler said they surveyed more than 400 people. However, with new upgrades in technology, they expect to survey more.
“The count is also an educational tool for us,” Wheeler said.
Community members who rely on Open Door for assistance said they hope this survey makes their lives more understandable to those looking to help.
“They judge what they see, but when you talk to them, it’s a whole other story. They see we have a softer side,” Richard Leao, a homeless man, said.