Annual Homeless Count Kicks Off In Indianapolis, With New Focus On Veterans

An annual count of the homeless population in Indianapolis is Wednesday night, and the group in charge of the survey is adding a new focus on veterans.

It’s called a point-in-time count, a survey of the homeless population meant to give the city an idea of the number of people who could require services on any given day.

The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, or CHIP, coordinates the count. Its director Alan Witchey says this year a newly formed team will focus on helping homeless veterans.

"Frequently with veterans we have resources to help," Witchey says. "This is an opportunity for us to connect them, and traditionally we might make a note of them and follow up the next day, but this will allow us to have real-time intervention."

CHIP says the team will talk to veterans about permanent housing options, and try to set up a follow-up meeting.

Everyone will get winter kits that contain gloves, socks, a hat, hand warmers and a backpack.

In last year’s count, 1,783 adults and children were identified as homeless.