Birmingham va point in time: a day of service and compassion | va birmingham health care | veterans affairs

Each year in January, a dedicated team from the Birmingham VA joins One Roof, a community organization leading Birmingham to prevent and end homelessness. VA, One Roof Street Outreach, and

hundreds of Volunteers from agencies like Pathways, Food for Our Journey, Baptist Church of the Covenant, and Aids Alabama organized to participate in the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count, a

crucial effort to document homelessness and connect with those in need. This year’s count was conducted over a two-day period and divided into three shifts, concluding in an End of PIT

Feast serving 81 meals to unhoused individuals.  THE PURPOSE OF THE PIT COUNT The PIT Count is a nationwide initiative led by local Continuum’s of Care (CoC) such as One Roof. The CoC, on

behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is authorized to estimate the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals. Volunteers gathered data on

where individuals slept the night before, their age, race, length of homelessness, and other key demographics. This information is critical in shaping public policy, determining funding

needs, and developing services to fight homelessness. VA VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION This year, 12 Birmingham VA employees participated in the early shift (7-11 a.m.), walking the cold streets

alongside VA social workers and other volunteers. This small group was assigned a section of the city and armed with hygiene kits provided by One Roof, they engaged with approximately 30

individuals, including three Veterans. Unlike previous years, when volunteers handed out additional care packages such as blankets and snacks, the focus this year was solely on collecting

vital data and distributing hygiene essentials. While the mission was data-driven, the volunteers brought more than just surveys. They brought human connection. They took the time to sit,

listen, and show dignity and respect to every person they met. These moments of kindness, small yet powerful, left lasting impressions, reaffirming that even in the darkest times, compassion

can make a difference. WHY THIS DATA MATTERS Every story gathered during the PIT Count is a piece of the larger puzzle of homelessness. The data collected informs local governments and

organizations about the scope of homelessness and the resources required to address it. Additionally, HUD uses this information to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and

determine funding allocations. For the Birmingham VA, identifying Veterans experiencing homelessness remains a top priority. Each Veteran engaged represents an opportunity to connect them

with VA health care, housing programs, and supportive services to get them off the streets and into stable living conditions. A CONTINUING MISSION The fight against homelessness is not won

in a single day, but the PIT Count is an essential step in understanding and addressing the crisis. Birmingham VA remains committed to serving those who have served our country, ensuring

that no Veteran is left behind. As the sun set on another PIT Count, the volunteers walked away not just with numbers, but with renewed resolve and a deeper understanding of the struggles

faced by those without a place to call home. Because at its core, this effort is about more than counting, it is about caring.