Braving frigid temperatures on Jan. 23, members of HONOR, the Newburgh Free Library, the City of Newburgh Planning Department, the City of Newburgh Police Department and other volunteers participated in the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The effort aimed to locate and assist homeless individuals, collect data and provide essential supplies.

The PIT Count is conducted through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and took place in Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis. Volunteers began counting as early as 7 a.m. in Middletown, but no individuals were found. The effort continued throughout the day and into the evening.

In Newburgh, volunteers gathered at police headquarters on Broadway, where Michelle Herrera, Continuum of Care (CoC) Planning Coordinator for HONOR, welcomed them and provided a briefing on the study, answered questions and reviewed safety protocols. Herrera explained that three teams typically search known locations where homeless individuals may be, including abandoned buildings and public spaces.

“We want to engage with individuals, get them out of the cold and collect data to show the extent of unsheltered homelessness in our community,” Herrera said. “This data helps secure additional HUD funding for permanent supportive housing. We also want to raise awareness so people know to contact us if they see someone in need.”

Teams distributed drawstring bags filled with essentials such as socks, hats, gloves, protein bars and water. They also carried information sheets and clipboards to document their findings.

Herrera’s team first visited the area near Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital and nearby side streets. Along Broadway, they found two individuals near La Marqueta Meat & Produce. One declined assistance, but the other, a woman named Faye, accepted help. She said she has lived in Newburgh since 2015 and has been homeless for two years.

“I feel like I’m no closer to getting housing,” Faye said. “A lot of money is spent, but I feel like it could be used more effectively to help those of us out here.”

Team members took down her information, provided her with a care package and made calls to connect her with resources.

Later, the team approached a boarded-up building on Ann Street after hearing movement inside, but those inside refused help. Further along, they encountered a veteran living in his car with his service animal. Volunteers provided him with supplies and helped secure a place for him to stay overnight.

Returning to Broadway, the team checked the Sunoco gas station near the Imperial Motel but found no one. At Schleiermacher Park, they met a man who had already received assistance from another team. Another individual in front of McDonald’s declined help. At Save A Lot on South William Street, a man named Edward accepted supplies and shared his situation with the team. He said he lacked food stamps but relied on community members who brought him meals.

By the end of the day, the team had surveyed multiple individuals and returned to the police station. Herrera reported that approximately 90 surveys had been completed in Orange County, with continued outreach planned in the following days.

“We are grateful for the community support,” Herrera said. “From preparation and promotion to the 17 volunteers who came out in the cold, their efforts are invaluable.”

HONOR, a leader in housing and homeless services in the Hudson Valley, provides temporary shelters, transitional housing and outreach programs.

“This one-day count provides data to HUD, but HONOR works every day to support those in need,” said Chris Molinelli, HONOR’s executive director. “Community partnerships, including law enforcement and service providers, help create coordinated solutions for our vulnerable neighbors.”

HONOR also leads street outreach efforts, proactively seeking out homeless individuals to provide immediate assistance and connect them with long-term services. The organization collaborates with Orange and Dutchess counties through the Safe Options Support (SOS) program, offering critical support for individuals, including those experiencing mental illness.

Community members who see someone without shelter, especially in cold weather, are encouraged to call HONOR at 845-343-7115 or email SOSinfo@HONORehg.org. More information is available athonorhelpingothers.org.