WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, area non-profits and Obama staff filled a room of volunteers inside the National City Christian Church, 1.28.15.
The annual Point in Time Count collects identification and personal information on people living on the streets. Volunteers conduct the evening survey until 2 a.m.
“And data is important. Knowing how we’re going to help more people in the District of Columbia really achieve what so many people are enjoying. And that’s prosperity,” said Mayor Bowser.
“But none of us can be proud in how our city is growing or progressing in so many ways, when so many people are left out of that progress,” the mayor continued.
Bowser said one of her main goals is to push for affordable housing for the city’s homeless.
“Our focus has been creating more housing. And I’m very excited that we have appointed a woman who is going to lead that charge, Laura Zeilinger, that will allow us to focus on homeless housing first initiatives,” Bowser said to the crowd.
Zeilinger serves as the director of the Acting Department of Human Services (DHS).
Meanwhile, Mayor Bowser said the Acting Department of Housing and Community Development under Director Polly Donaldson, plans to devote millions of dollars each year for affordable housing in the District.
Volunteers from area non-profits have been active in Point in Time Count each year. Non-profits included Community Solutions, Keys for the Homeless Foundation and Sasha Bruce Youthwork.
