Local HQ for homeless count

The Regional Homeless Collaborative announced the headquarters for the Wasco-Shafter-Lost Hills census count will be at Sunset Villa Apartments, 1950 Palm Avenue in Wasco.

The apartment complex will serve as the center of activity for the Point-In-Time count in the community. Volunteers will check in, join their teams and receive supplies in the field. PIT teams will return to their headquarters to finish the day.

The PIT date will be Jan. 24, from 4-8 a.m. On the morning of the count, teams of three or four will span out across every part of Kern County to count and survey homeless people who sleep outdoors, in parks, alleys, by the river, under bridges or in places not meant for human habitation.

The survey count will help identify local trends among the homeless population. It also helps to illuminate issues like housing access, mental illness and transportation problems.

Volunteers are still needed, and people can register at kc2020pit.eventbrite.com through Dec. 31.