Point-in-Time Count puts more focus on Lewisville homeless population

As featured in the Denton Record-Chronicle on 1/26/2018 by Julian Gill, Staff Writer...

The results of the annual homeless Point-in-Time count won't be released for a few months, but officials expect a heavier focus on the homeless communities in Lewisville to reflect more accurate data.  
 
The Point-in-Time count, required by federal law, aims to identify the number of homeless people in the Denton County. On Thursday, more than 80 volunteers visited shelters, libraries, wooded encampments and anywhere homeless people would congregate. They tallied the homeless to ultimately measure trends and pinpoint areas that may need more outreach services.
 
Courtney Cross, United Way of Denton County's community impact coordinator, said about 80 volunteers canvassed Lewisville "more than we ever have" in an effort to capture more accurate totals. 
 
According to last year's count results, the number of homeless people dropped from 230 in 2016 to 228 in 2017. However, the number of  homeless children and chronically homeless people in Denton County rose in that time period.
 
Cross said the most recent count results won't be available until at least April.