Volunteers needed for survey of Windsor-Essex homeless population

An attempt to accurately count the population of homeless people in Windsor-Essex will be undertaken later this month and volunteers are being sought to help carry out the survey.

The Homeless Coalition of Windsor Essex County is working with the City of Windsor in this effort, which is known as a "point-in-time count."

The survey will take place over a two-day period on April 19 and 20.

Angela Yakonich, a community developer with the coalition, said the information gleaned from the survey will help the region respond to the issue of homelessness in the community in part by learning more about the issues these specific people are facing.

"Every survey and every volunteer who assists is helping us get one step closer to eradicating homelessness in Windsor Essex County,"Yakonich said in a news release.

Volunteers are asked to contact 311 or to email windsorvolunteer2016@gmail.com if they want to get involved. Training will be provided to all volunteers.

In a brief telephone interview on Monday, Yakonich said at least 200 volunteers are being sought to help with the count.

This same project is being undertaken in dozens of communities across the country.