January 12, 2012

Please Help with the 2012 Homeless Count

Houstonians,

As I noted in my inaugural address, developing programs to help address homelessness in Houston is a priority for my second term in office. We have the largest homeless population in Texas and the 8th largest in the United States, with more than 40,000 people experiencing homelessness in Houston annually. Results of the 2011 Homeless Census and Needs Assessment indicate that over 13,500 people are homeless in our community at any point in time. In addition, school reports show that over 11,000 students attending schools in Harris County were homeless during the 2010-11 school year.

Your generous gift of time, talent and treasure in supporting the 2012 Homeless Census and Needs Assessment will help the City and the Coalition for the Homeless and over 200 of its agency and stakeholder partners assess the changing face of homelessness in our community and the unique needs of homeless youth, families and individuals.

The Homeless Count will take place on Tuesday, January 24 and Tuesday, January 31, 5:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Visit https://houstonhomelesscount.org/ to volunteer and for more information on this very important effort.

After registering to volunteer, you will be assigned to one of nine areas in Houston to count based on your preference and the volunteer need. On Tuesday, January 17, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., training will be available at all nine locations. Visit https://www.homelesshouston.org/ (click under Events) for a list of the training locations. Training will also be available the nights of the Count.

Thank you for your help,

Annise Parker
Mayor

To read the full text of my second inaugural address, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/citizensnet/ParkerSecondInauguralAddress010312.html.