Severe Weather Delays Multnomah County's Homeless Count

Biannual census will now take place next month.

(Joe Riedl)

Every two years, counties all over the U.S. conduct a one-night count of homeless citizens.

The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and it provides local jurisdictions vital information about how many people are on the streets and what services (in addition to housing) they require.

Related: Five Things You Didn't Know About Multnomah County's Homeless Count.

This year's count had been scheduled for Jan. 25 but, as The Portland Tribune first reported Sunday, the count has been pushed back a month.

The count is now scheduled to begin on Feb. 22.

"Holding a count so soon after these historic storms would almost certainly affect our ability to fully staff this extensive effort, identify all the people living on the street and be able to compare the results to previous years,'' said Marc Jolin, director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services, in a statement. "The count gives us important information and we want it to be as accurate as possible.''

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