As part of the Merced City/County Continuum of Care’s annual “Point In Time” (PIT) count, volunteers fanned out across the county in the early morning hours to document the number of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Pastor Stephen Hammond, senior Pastor of Bethel Community Church and board member of the Merced City/County Continuum of Care, described the experience as both familiar and deeply affecting.
The PIT count, conducted once a year, is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and helps determine federal funding for local homelessness programs.
Volunteers begin before dawn, often in cold temperatures, to locate and survey individuals living outdoors, in vehicles or in makeshift shelters. Hammond said the conditions are always a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those without stable housing.
“It is always sobering when we go out so early and cold and encounter those living in the harshness of the elements,” he said.
While the official numbers will not be released until the Continuum of Care completes its analysis, Hammond describes how, in Santa Nella, the area he covered this year, some people were living in tents and an RV.
“After being a part of the count for so many years, nothing surprises me any longer,” he said. Still, each year brings moments that stay with him. Volunteers are trained to conduct brief surveys using a standardized digital tool.
“There is a digital questionnaire on an app we use to conduct the count and surveys. Basic information and how long they have been on the streets, plus what they would need to get them off of the streets,” Hammond explained.
Despite the vulnerability of the individuals they encounter, Hammond said most interactions are positive. “Most were welcoming to us, knowing that we were there to help them,” he said.
One encounter in particular stood out during this year’s count. “I encountered a young lady who, as a teenager, went to our church. I was able to talk with her and make a connection to draw her out of that lifestyle. She was very grateful through her tears,” he said.
In regard to how volunteers prepare for the count, Hammond said, “There is an annual training on how to approach the homeless, how to use the app and when to walk away to remain safe.”
The training also prepares volunteers to navigate rural areas, where individuals experiencing homelessness often face additional barriers.
“They tend to be stuck with little or no resources in the rural areas. They also tend to be forgotten. The app we use also tracks our exact location so people can be reached out to again by professional outreach workers,” he said.
For Hammond, the PIT count is not just a civic duty but a long-standing commitment. “We volunteer every year and plan to do so as long as I am able,” he said. His continued involvement reflects the broader effort by the Continuum of Care to ensure that even the most isolated individuals are counted and connected to services.
The PIT count results, once released, will help shape Merced County’s homelessness response for the coming year. Until then, volunteers like Hammond continue to shine a light on the realities faced by those living without shelter and the importance of showing up, year after year, to ensure they are not forgotten.
