By Angela Hatton / Kentucky News Service
Louisville, KY – The Kentucky statewide count of homeless people of all ages is expected to show an increase this year. According to Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky Executive Director Penny Young the so-called "point-in-time" count helps determine how much funding will be available for homeless assistance in the state.
"The purpose of the point-in-time count is to identify the number and characteristics of our homeless persons and families who may be doubled up in other homes," she said.
In addition, the count helps assess the progress of Kentucky's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. States are required to count their homeless populations every two years. The counts are held in January because cold weather prompts more people to use shelters, which makes them easier to count.