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By Julie Whittaker

For Partners Davie

Community Housing Council

Folks, it sure has been cold outside.

And the worst of winter’s weather may not have arrived here yet.

Many are grateful to have a solid roof over their head with heat in their home.

But some people have neither heat nor a roof.

And the way a Davie resident experiencing homelessness gets help is through Good Samaritans, local non-profits, or local government emergency assistance when available, and if they qualify.

Addressing homelessness moves through a complicated system from the federal level all the way to the local level.

In Davie, agencies providing shelter to some people include the Department of Health and Human Services and Family Promise of Davie. Both have limited parameters for providing accommodations.

Family Promise serves parents with minor children.

DCDHHS offers “emergency assistance services, provides short-term assistance to citizens in crisis when no other funds are available to alleviate the crisis.”

Some from Davie may go to the 5th Street Ministry’s shelter in Iredell County.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) decides funding allocations based on Point-in-Time Counts. If people experiencing homelessness are not counted, there is either low or no funding toward providing shelter or longer-term housing.

HUD makes the rules and guidelines regarding homelessness, placing people and agencies in categories. HUD also defines how the population in need is counted. It has set up a system and training that coordinates Point-in-Time counts across the United States.

Folks living in sheltered situations are counted by the agency funding their accommodations, or if they are living on the street, in a car, camping in the out-of-doors, agency employees and trained volunteers do their best to locate and count them.

This year, Partners Davie County Community Housing Council is inviting those in need to gather at the Scottish Inn, 1034 Yadkinville Road, Mocksville, on Friday, Feb. 1  from 4-6 p.m.

Partners Health Management is working with other community agencies to assist with the Point-in-Time and to offer resources on site. Those attending the Feb. 1 event will get a hot Chick-Fil-A sandwich, health checks, housing resources, information on where to turn for help; and resources from community partners.

A Point-in-Time count is confidential, those involved can promise that confidentiality to attendees. In addition, a small volunteer force, will do their best to count those unable to get to the Scottish Inn, so more accurate data on the magnitude of homelessness in Davie County can be obtained.

If you need help or services, call PartnersACCESS anytime at 1-888-235-HOPE (4673). If deaf or hearing impaired, call Relay 711, TTY 1-800-735-2962 (English) or TTY 1-888-825-6570 (Spanish).