Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler conducted interviews with the public last week to measure homelessness in our community. The interviews were focused on where individuals slept during one specific “point-in-time,” last Thursday.
This Point-In-Time Study (PIT) was conducted in a five-county region and is part of US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) funding and in partnership with CARES, Inc.
A Point-In-Time Study is a coordinated effort within a specific region to count the number of people experiencing homelessness during a specific one-day point in time. HUD requests this information to better understand and address homelessness at a national level. Because of this PIT Study, federal funds could be used to address homeless issues specifically within our region. Therefore, Catholic Charities’ funding is directly tied to the completion of this study.
Suzi Fritz, Director of Emergency Services states, “It is important to draw attention to the funding needs of our communities to ensure service availability for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Catholic Charities’ staff conducted interviews in Chemung and Schuyler Counties and utilized the help of community organizations and local food pantries.
In 2024, there were 1,638 distinct individuals who experienced homelessness and received services in Chemung County (331 individuals were under the age of 18). In Schuyler County, 77 individuals experiencing homelessness received services.
