An outreach team gathers before heading out to conduct the annual Point-in-Time homeless count in Wylie. From left; Taylor Hutchinson, Jace Wiley, Bill Roberts and Jon Bailey.\u00a0 Courtesy Jon Bailey<\/p>\n
An annual count aimed at measuring homelessness in Wylie and surrounding areas identified 15 people experiencing homelessness this year, an increase from the 10 counted during last year\u2019s effort.<\/p>\n
The Point-in-Time Homeless Census, commonly known as the PIT count, was conducted Thursday, Jan. 22 \u2014 one day before the weather event \u2014 with volunteers gathering at The Cross Church before deploying throughout the Wylie and Lavon Lake areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The PIT count is conducted nationwide each January by Housing Forward, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s designated lead agency for Dallas and Collin counties, in collaboration with the All Neighbors Coalition.<\/p>\n
Jon Bailey, executive director of Hope for the Cities and team leader for the Wylie area count, said the number reflects only those who could be identified on the night of the count and does not represent the full scope of homelessness in the community.<\/p>\n