ASHEVILLE – Volunteers spilled out of the double doors of Haywood Street Congregation Jan. 30, two hours before sunset, embarking on an annual ritual that would take them to the farthest corners of the county, from the heart of the city to its most high-trafficked arterial corridors.
It’s time for the point in time count, typically a single night census tallying the number of people experiencing homelessness in Asheville.
Last year, 75 people volunteered for the count. The year before, there were 48. This year, a whopping 139 people signed up.
Emily Ball, manager of the city’s Homeless Strategy Division, said it’s indicative of a growing momentum around combatting homelessness in Asheville.
“I think our community wants to be engaged right now,” Ball said. “We’ve got a lot of interest in the Continuum of Care, I think we have a lot of people who want to take action, and the point in time count is a tangible way for people to do that.”
With a new methodology, expanded footprint and a record-breaking number of volunteers, Ball said it’s the “broadest coverage area we will have ever had.”