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Homeless coalition urges volunteers for Jan. 23 point-in-time count; shelter additions noted for cold weather
Summary
Concho Valley Community Action Agency reminded council and public of winter services, shelter capacity limits, and the Jan. 23, 2025 point-in-time count; Salvation Army, Trinity/Russ Street meal sites, Oasis Day Shelter, and library warming space were described as available resources.
During public comment on Jan. 7, 2025, Mike Burnett, executive director of the Concho Valley Community Action Agency and chair of the Homeless Coalition, urged residents to support winter services for people experiencing homelessness and to volunteer for the 2025 point-in-time (PIT) count scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23.
Burnett described available resources: the Salvation Army emergency shelter (check-in at 5 p.m.; daily operations through 10 p.m.; check-out at 7 a.m.; extensions allowed during cold-weather events depending on conditions), daytime meals at Russ Street and Trinity Soup Kitchen, the Oasis Day Shelter at Saint Paul Presbyterian Church (open weekdays starting at 1:30 p.m.), and temporary refuge at the Tom Green County Library when people follow library rules. He noted that the Salvation Army fills quickly and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Burnett stressed the PIT count’s role in securing state and federal housing and support resources, saying the count provides a snapshot used to allocate funding for shelters, supportive services, and housing programs. He said the coalition will host a homeless navigation day at First Presbyterian Gym on the same day and asked volunteers to register at cvcaa.org. Burnett said the coalition is developing a larger plan to address homelessness due to be shared with the public in the spring.
The coalition requested continued council and staff support for coordination among service providers, and Burnett urged donations of blankets, bedding, food and funds to coalition partners. He emphasized that coalition agencies’ capacity is limited by available funding.
Why it matters: The PIT count impacts the community’s eligibility and prioritization for federal and state homeless-assistance funds and informs local service planning. Winter weather increases demand for shelter beds and daytime services.
What’s next: Volunteers and donors were asked to contact coalition agencies and register at cvcaa.org; coalition leaders plan to publish a broader plan for addressing homelessness later in the spring.
