HUD Employees Bring Warmth During Annual Homeless Count

HUD employees pose for a photo at the opening program of Philadelphia's adult Point-in-Time count in January, holding handmade items for those living on the streets.

HUD employee Kathy Roe is surrounded by hats and scarves she knitted for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Nearly a dozen HUD employees volunteered in January to support Philadelphia's annual adult and youth Point-in-Time (PIT) count. This year, they brought along something special for those individuals experiencing homelessness--handmade scarves and hats.

Management analyst Kathy Roe armed HUD volunteers in the Philadelphia Regional Office with her colorful, knitted creations for distribution during the recent citywide survey of those living on the streets. "I thought this would be a good use of my talent, and I really like to knit and crochet," said Kathy, who works in HUD's Philadelphia Homeownership Center. "The idea came to me after the 2016 count."

According to Kathy, she often knits and crochets for a cause. She began the project last year, completing more than 40 scarves and hats in time for the city's PIT count held January 26.

Philly's PIT count, like other communities, helps to measure the scope of homelessness over the course of one night every January. The Mayor's Office of Homeless Services and local homeless service providers Project HOME and Valley Youth House are the lead planners.

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