News Flash

City News

Posted on: January 27, 2023

Killeen homeless population decreased in region’s annual homeless count

homelesss count1

City partnered with groups for assessment and count of unsheltered community

KILLEEN, Texas (Jan. 27, 2023) – The City of Killeen partnered with the Texas Homeless Network, the Central Texas Homeless Coalition and other organizations on Jan. 26 in an effort to measure homelessness across our city and the region in the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The initial count in Killeen is 169, according to this year’s regional PIT lead. That number was above 200 in 2022.

 “I want to give high praise for the Killeen Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit and the Homeless Outreach Team specifically,” Bobby Ehrig, Executive Director of Citizens for Progress (and the 2023 PIT lead) said. “I was very impressed with their professionalism, knowledge of the homeless on the streets, and their willingness to help with the PIT in a non-law enforcement capacity.”

The Killeen PIT Count was led by Killeen Police Department officer Evan Crouse and Sgt. Angela Matthews. They were also able to provide sleeping bags to some in need, thanks to donations made by a citizen.

The Point-In-Time count is a census of all homeless persons. Cities nationwide participate in similar counts throughout the year and report the data to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

The numbers that follow are the unsheltered in our region on that date. This count will provide a “snapshot” of the number of people experiencing homelessness. It’s important to note that there are additional numbers that come from federal and state-funding programs that house the homeless in different housing models like transitional housing, emergency housing and rapid re-housing programs.

The results indicate the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in our community on this one day. Other forms of homelessness, such as those staying temporarily with friends or people who are able to come up with enough funds for a hotel/motel, are not included in the PIT Count, per HUD guidelines. The numbers represent about 30-35% of the total homeless population, based on national statistics and evaluations of count activities nationwide.

This year, the project had double the number of volunteers-- 97 from around the four-county region who assisted. They included those from law enforcement, nonprofit programs, government agencies, college students and healthcare systems who spent more than 12 hours counting on the streets, encampments, abandoned buildings, wooded areas, parks and soup kitchens all over the region.

Here are this year’s initial results per organizers:

TOTAL Counted:  332

  • Killeen:  169
  • Temple:  121
  • Belton: 04
  • Hamilton County: 19
  • Lampasas County: 14

 

  • Children under 18:  5

 

  • 47%       male
  • 53%       female
  • 64%       ages 25-64 (largest age range)

The PIT Count will improve understanding of the needs and circumstances of the people experiencing homelessness in our community. The short survey provides key data on gender, age, ethnicity, veteran status and more. Results from the PIT Count will be publicly available and results will be used to improve response to homelessness.

“I’ve been doing the PIT counts for 12 years now, and I was really pleased with how Central Texas rallied together and gave us a more realistic number of those homeless in our region,” Ehrig said. “Our goal is to ensure our unsheltered count receives the best possible ability to cover those unsheltered as part of that overall reporting.”

If you’d like more information, please visit https://www.thn.org/texas-balance-state-continuum-care/data/pit-count-and-hic/

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in City News

Public input sought on vision for Downtown

Posted on: February 28, 2023

Killeen offices closed for Presidents Day

Posted on: February 17, 2023
Stewart Park new playground

Park improvements continue

Posted on: February 15, 2023

Alta Vista Drive closure this week

Posted on: February 12, 2023

Clear Creek Road closure this week

Posted on: February 12, 2023

Crews resume roadwork on W.S. Young

Posted on: February 6, 2023

City Council Special Workshop canceled

Posted on: January 31, 2023

Stonetree Drive closed for repair

Posted on: December 30, 2022

Killeen’s offices to be closed Monday

Posted on: December 28, 2022

Boil Water Notice issued for Fowler Avenue

Posted on: November 28, 2022

Moss Rose Center to Open as Warming Center

Posted on: November 18, 2022

Moss Rose Center to Open as Warming Center

Posted on: November 14, 2022

Annual Veterans Day Parade canceled

Posted on: November 10, 2022

Lane closure planned for Southside Drive

Posted on: October 10, 2022

Trimmier Road lane closures planned

Posted on: August 10, 2022

Splash Pad closes for more repairs

Posted on: August 1, 2022

Splash Pad to open tomorrow

Posted on: July 28, 2022

Old FM 440 lane closures planned

Posted on: July 19, 2022

Persimmon Road lane closure planned

Posted on: July 15, 2022

Trimmier Road lane closures planned

Posted on: July 14, 2022

Gilmer Street lane closure planned

Posted on: July 8, 2022

Stewart Street closure planned

Posted on: July 1, 2022
Solid Waste Holiday Trash Collection 2022

Trash Collection Delay Reminder

Posted on: June 1, 2022
Memorial Day Ceremony 2022

Killeen Memorial Day Ceremony

Posted on: May 19, 2022

Court to be closed Friday, May 20

Posted on: May 18, 2022

WCID 2 pm update

Posted on: May 9, 2022

Ridgeview Drive Closure Planned

Posted on: May 9, 2022

Westcliff Road Closure Planned

Posted on: May 6, 2022

Fallen Heroes 5K set for May 7

Posted on: April 29, 2022

Southern Belle Drive closure planned

Posted on: April 25, 2022
rabies

Free pet vaccination clinic scheduled

Posted on: April 21, 2022

Water Street to be closed next week

Posted on: April 14, 2022

Killeen election to be held May 7

Posted on: April 5, 2022

City Surplus Auction Saturday

Posted on: March 28, 2022

Family Fun Day happening Saturday

Posted on: March 21, 2022

Bonnie Drive street closure planned

Posted on: March 18, 2022

Game Day to be held Tuesday

Posted on: March 14, 2022