Local nonprofit reports 13 people counted in Big Spring point‑in‑time survey, urges HUD grant coordination

Scott Hart, a volunteer with Journey Home Refuge Center, told the Big Spring City Council during public comment that his organization’s work with the Texas Homeless Network produced an official point‑in‑time count of 13 people experiencing homelessness in Big Spring. “The official number of the homeless people that we found in Big Spring, and that official number is 13,” Hart said.

Hart said the nonprofit has provided motel stays and transitional housing and that its volunteers trained with the Texas Homeless Network to complete the HUD‑required point‑in‑time count. He also said the group recorded an unofficial count of 18 after helping a family of five who were sleeping in a car. “Now with our continued work in the community and the encampments around town, we know that the number is higher,” Hart said.

Hart thanked the Big Spring Police Department, Judge Mike Averett and volunteer Terry Telchick for assistance locating next of kin and arranging burial for a man the volunteers found in August, identified in his remarks as Rick Weaver. He said that experience led the group to participate in the count.

Hart told council that the data can support applications for federal and state funding, including HUD programs and Emergency Solutions Grants, and that the count’s demographic breakdowns are in supplemental reports he left with the mayor and council. He offered to provide the additional reports to council members on request.

The council did not take action on the comments during the meeting; the remarks were part of the public comment period.

Hart left a written report with the council and asked members to contact him for copies of the supplemental data.