TAMPA, Fla. — Nearly 500 volunteers are out in Hillsborough County Thursday to help count the homeless.
- Homeless count taking place Thursday in Tampa
- Volunteers out to get info on homeless to aid in federal funding
A count of the homeless population can help determine how much federal funding the county will receive to combat homelessness.
Groups with the Tampa-Hillsborough Homeless Initiative are canvassing parts of downtown, as well as other areas.
The count is required every year by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive federal funding. Last year, Hillsborough County received close to $8 million to put toward programs for the homeless.
Volunteers will be out throughout the day Thursday in various areas of the city. The numbers will be tallied throughout the day at a command center set up at Sparkman Wharf. The complete numbers will be tallied this evening and forwarded to HUD.