An annual survey that helps the Southern Maryland region determine its homeless population will be taken again in late January. This year the canvassing will have a specific target group—military veterans. On Friday, Dec. 20, area elected officials gathered at the Waldorf Jaycees hall for the “We All Count” kickoff event for the “Point-In-Time” survey. The data collected in all three Southern Maryland counties aids area agencies seeking grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to a Charles County Government press release, the goal of the 2014 Point in Time survey will be to possibly obtain HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers. “Southern Maryland could gain as many as 60 vouchers but we need to have an accurate count,” said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer [D-MD District 5], who was the kickoff event’s main speaker. Hoyer indicated the survey would require an intense effort from veterans’ groups, civic organizations, government agencies, law enforcement and emergency responders. Hoyer called the high numbers of homeless in America, especially among the ranks of military veterans “unacceptable.”

The survey will be conducted in all three Southern Maryland counties Wednesday, Jan. 29. On Wednesday, Jan. 15—two weeks prior to the mass canvassing—a training session will be held for volunteers. Exact details about the training session will be announced later.

The Point-In-Time survey coordinators are: Sandy Washington in Charles County, Kristen Olivo in Calvert County and Lanny Lancaster in St. Mary’s County. The initiative has the support of the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland.

In addition to Hoyer, elected officials attending the kickoff were Charles County Commissioners’ President Candace Quinn Kelly [D], St. Mary’s Commissioners’ President Jack Russell [D], Charles commissioners Ken Robinson [D-District 1] and Reuben Collins II[D-District 3], and delegates John Bohanan [D-District29B] and Sally Jameson [D-District 28].

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com