Birmingham VA Point in Time: A Day of Service and Compassion
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.