Press Release 12.30.04

For Immediate Release ( December 30, 2004 )
For More Information: Vona Johnson , 773-3181

South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium to
Conduct Statewide Homeless Count

( Pierre ) – Volunteers will be leaving the warmth of their homes and offices on January 25th, to count South Dakota ’s Homeless population. The South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium is conducting a one-day survey as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The single day event will attempt to count the number of homeless families and individuals through the entire country on one given day. It’s believed that this is only the second time a nationwide account has been attempted; the first was completed in 1990.

“This count will be coordinated statewide and additional information will be gathered to help document the causes and length of homelessness,” says Vona Johnson , Coordinator for the South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium. “We are relying on volunteers and service agencies throughout the state to help give an accurate picture of the problem.”

The state will be broken down into three geographical areas according to counties where services are provided. Goodwill Industries in Sioux Falls will be taking the lead roll in conducting the survey for the eastern part of the state. Rapid City Homeless Coalition will handle the Rapid City area. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) in Pierre will be the contact for the remaining areas of the state.

The Housing for the Homeless Consortium was created in 2001 to unite all who work to provide service for the homeless. The primary focus of the group is to identify gaps and programs and services that make it difficult for people to make it on their own. Since its inception, the statewide consortium has received grants totaling $3.6 million to provide development, operating, and supportive service funding to a variety of homeless programs across the state.

Reducing the number of homeless individuals is a national and state priority. By combining the results from this count with a plan of action, the Housing for the Homeless Consortium can assist its members in seeking the appropriate changes needed to address these problems. The Consortium encourages anyone who is interested in participating in this effort to please contact: Betty Durfee, 605-731-1931 or durfeeb@goodwillscia.com; Barb Garcia, 605-394-4181 or Barbara.garcia@rcgov.org; or Lisa Bondy , SDHDA, 605-773-3445, lisab@sdhda.org.