San Juan County’s 2019 “Point in Time Homeless Count” will be conducted on Thursday, Jan. 24. Count organizers and volunteers work with local family resource centers, food banks, emergency cold weather shelters, churches, healthcare providers, senior centers, libraries, the sheriff’s office and many other community support service providers to conduct the count. The count, initiated by the state of Washington in 2005 (RCW43.185C.030), is conducted annually at the end of January.

This year San Juan County Health and Community Services is collaborating with the resource centers on each island to provide volunteer training on the following dates:

• Orcas Community Resource Center, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m.

• Lopez Island Family Resource Center, Jan. 18 at noon.

Last year, the count identified 57 individuals living outdoors, in vehicles, abandoned buildings or substandard RVs/boats. There were 63 individuals also identified who were living in temporary, unstable living arrangements, often with family or friends.

If you have questions or would like to help with the count, contact Ryan Page, San Juan County Affordable Housing Coordinator, at 360-370-0590 or ryanp@sanjuanco.com.