Government
BY ANNA MANESS
An annual count of the county’s homeless population is scheduled for January. Williamson County Homeless Coalition volunteers will be trained to conduct a point- in-time count in the area. On one night, around 50-75 volunteers will use a survey to ask the homeless community about their age, race, gender and more. “We want the community to start engaging with folks that are living unsheltered and see them as their neighbors, so we encourage conversation beyond the survey,” coalition Vice Chair Christel Erickson-Collins said. Volunteers will drive around and look for unhoused individuals for the count, coalition member Janette Gaudiesus said. Cars, streets and parks are checked, along with WilCo homeless count planned
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Where Williamson County’s homeless population sleep
The coalition counted 89 people experiencing homelessness this January. Sixty-three individuals gave the following answers to the question, “Where are you sleeping tonight?” Bus, train station, airport: 1
Area resources for people experiencing homelessness include the Round Rock Area Serving Center, Community First! Village, The Charlie Center and The Caring Place. Challenges can arise with these locations as homeless individuals don’t always want to relocate, Erickson-Collins said. “People from Williamson County often want to stay in Williamson County—they don’t want to move to a new community,” Erickson-Collins said. “It would be really nice for us to have housing options for our neighbors here.” The Williamson County Homeless Coalition started in 2019, according to previous Community Impact reporting. For safety and privacy, the coalition will share the PIT count date internally as it gets closer, Erickson- Collins said. The coalition is actively looking for more volunteers, and those interested can email wilcopitcount2025@gmail.com for more information.
Under bridge/overpass: 3
Abandoned building/structure: 4
Outdoor encampment: 8
Park: 8
Vehicle: 15 Street/sidewalk: 24
SOURCE: TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
local food banks earlier in the day. “The numbers are very helpful in determining what’s actually happening and to determine, possibly, what services could be added in our local area,” Gaudiesus said.
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