The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition took to the streets Wednesday for its annual "point in time" count of homeless people in the 11-county region.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates the annual count to determine how much money is allocated to address homelessness in various communities.
This year the count is different. Instead of going for only 24 hours, the count will spread over 48 hours, and instead of asking homeless people to answer one survey, they will be asked to answer two.
The first survey, just over a page in length, asks demographic information such as date of birth, race and gender. It also asks questions about disability, mental illness, drugs and HIV/AIDS.
The second survey, just over three pages long, is more in-depth and will be used to determine the people most in need of housing and services. It asks questions like how many times they've been to the emergency room in the past six months, how many times they have been attacked or beaten up since becoming homeless and whether anybody forces or tricks them into doing things that they do not want to do.
The extended time for the count this year is to allow more time for the additional survey.
The homeless coalition started its count Wednesday at Miller Park. The count ends Friday.
After counting homeless people in Miller Park, volunteers went to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen and dispersed from there to the Salvation Army, hotels and homeless camps.
The ultimate goal, homeless coalition Executive Director Stephen Wright said, is to make sure homeless people get the services they need.
"We need another mission," JoAnn Smith said while sitting on a bench at Miller Park after being surveyed Wednesday. "It's a lot of homeless people out here. They have to sleep out here."
Contact staff writerYolanda Putman atyputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.