VA Volunteers for the 2024 PIT Count

​Staff from the Hampton VAMC partnered together with the community early in the morning of January 25, 2024 to engage in the annual Point In Time (PIT) count in Hampton, Virginia. Led by a police officer, the team hit the streets in search of any people experiencing homelessness. During the course of our search, we scoured the streets, woods, beaches, known encampments, and even abandoned buildings. We came across nine different individuals who had experienced homelessness: two who had slept outside last night near gas stations, and seven who had slept in shelters but then gone to the bus station or their daily hangouts behind abandoned buildings. One of the individuals was a veteran. When the sun started coming up, we encountered less and less people, so it was time to wrap it up and call it a day. We appreciate the help of Officer Brown and all the partners in the community who made this possible. We could not have done this if not for team work. Thanks!  - Gretchen Hilburger (Hampton VA Medical Center)