How many homeless people are living in this community? It’s hard to know how to address the problem when the whole scope of it is unclear, but last week, people working on that problem did their best to get a count.

The annual Project Homeless Connect event and Point-in-Time count took place at the First United Methodist church in Aberdeen on Friday with service providers such as the Department of Social and Health Services, Social Security, the Department of Licensing and Work Source on hand as well as free haircuts, acupuncture and flu shots for participants.

The count was done as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Washington’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Act in order to get an annual count of the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in Grays Harbor County.

This year’s event was organized directly by Grays Harbor County Public Health, said Curtis Steinhauer, Housing Resource Coordinator for the county.

“I think the most important thing is when people first come in the door, greeting them and asking their name,” said Airavee McLauchlan, volunteer and Grays Harbor College Human Services student.

“I think that’s very important because we’re identifying someone as a human being with a name, not just a homeless person or a number,” she added.

After being greeted, participants were asked to fill out a form that asked where they slept the night before, the length of time without stable housing, their household information, including birthdate, gender, race, ethnicity, whether they are fleeing domestic violence, veteran status and disability information. They’re also asked about circumstances that led to their housing status, including economic factors, system and legal issues, health issues and family conflict in order to identify their needs.

“The intake is really important because it helps us know if they’re homeless and if they’re sheltered or unsheltered,” McLauchlan said.

After that, they can check in with one of the vendors and get services that can help with housing, treatment or whatever it is they need, she said.

Last year, the count was about 150, about twice as many homeless as are currently staying at the camp behind Aberdeen City Hall.

This year’s count will end up “in the same ballpark” according to Steinhauer. He said the county’s estimated number of homeless wouldn’t be finalized until later this week when shelters around the county provide their counts.

The Department of Licensing said they helped more than 50 people with either new IDs, replacement or renewals this year.

Data collected during the count is used by local, state and federal agencies to channel funding and other resources to the local community to help prevent homelessness and get those who are already experiencing homelessness off the street, said Steinhauer.