Point in Time homeless count and survey conducted in Palm Springs

Volunteers were out and about in Palm Springs speaking to the homeless, as part of the federally mandated Point in Time homeless count and survey. Last year’s survey counted nearly 500 homeless in the Coachella Valley, about 2,400 across Riverside County.

Volunteers are out and about conducting their surveys for the PIT count in #PalmSprings. pic.twitter.com/3AWEEwpDOK

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKESQ) January 23, 2018

“The real goal is to interview them, get some information from them. For those who don’t want to interview or are sleeping we observe them, and to really get data, so we know how many homeless residents we have on this one day,” said Geoff Kors, Palm Springs city councilmember.

About 70 volunteers went to 11 different locations across the city to interview and reach out to any individuals and get a gauge of the unsheltered and sheltered homeless population. Volunteers included city council members with assistance from Palm Springs Police officers.

“It will really educate a lot of our residents about who our homeless population is and let the homeless population know our residents care about them and they’re valued,” Kors said.

First-time volunteer Bill Tierney says that’s exactly what he’s looking for.

“We run across them on a daily basis where we live near downtown and I’m hoping I get a better understanding of the community.,” Tierney said.

Volunteers are being briefed for the Point in Time Homeless Count and Survey. It’s an annual survey that’s done every year. 68 volunteers have signed up this year in #PalmSprings. pic.twitter.com/pL0Jd5ALDF

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKESQ) January 23, 2018

In order to conduct this survey, seven different teams are going to eleven different locations across Palm Springs in order to get the most accurate count.

One location is the United Methodist Church. Volunteers spoke with people as they got their pancake breakfast. Allan Salter, a homeless man in Palm Springs, says he and others like him have to face life’s struggles head-on in public.

“Problems, struggles, stress. Nothing changes when your homeless. You still have to deal with stuff. We just got to deal with a little bit more because we are out on the streets 24/7,” Salter said.

Salter said he is fine with being in the streets where he says he’s happy, but wants city leaders to get a better understanding of people like him.

“They don’t know the situation that they became homeless. All they see is a homeless person and they want them out of Palm Springs,” Salter said.

Harry Sultan, another homeless person in Palm Springs, said he is glad the community is reaching out to them but would like to see more concrete action addressing their issues.

“I’m very happy about this survey but I wish the work of the survey is applicable on the ground,” Sultan said.

City officials said once they complete the survey and get the final numbers they will have a better picture tackling homelessness in the area.

“Knowing the accurate number helps us when we apply for state or federal resources to continue all the work we’re doing here in Palm Springs,” Kors said.

The east valley held their own point in time homeless count Tuesday morning, you can read about that here.