Jamestown, NY – Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., (COI) a local non-profit committed to fighting homelessness and poverty, has released its report on the summer 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) count. A PIT Count is a one-day census of people experiencing homelessness. It was conducted locally with the help of volunteers from local non-profits and the City of Jamestown, Chautauqua County, and members of the faith-based community.
The report reveals 55 people were unsheltered in Chautauqua County on August 15, 2024 with 52 of the 55 individuals identified in the City of Jamestown. Individuals were found living on the street, in the woods, parks, under bridges, or in abandoned buildings. In addition, there were 160 households counted in emergency shelter or homeless housing programs throughout the county.
“The data provided by the Summer Point-in-Time Count helps us understand the extent of homelessness and the barriers to housing that people are experiencing,” said Josiah Lamp, Housing Director for COI.
The summer PIT Count was organized by the local Continuum of Care (CoC) in response to the Declaration of a State of Emergency in the City of Jamestown. In Jamestown, the CoC coordinated with City staff to identify known areas where people were living unsheltered and mobilized six teams of volunteers to conduct the count. Two code enforcement officers continued the count into abandoned buildings and condemned housing. In total, there were 57 volunteers who participated in the county, a record number for the Continuum of Care. Although the majority of the unsheltered are known to be staying in the City of Jamestown, a countywide count was completed to ensure consistency.
“This Summer’s Point in Time was our most comprehensive count to date,” said PIT organizer, Gina Ward from Southern Tier Environments for Living. “Thanks to the large number of volunteers in the Jamestown area, we were able to assign one City of Jamestown employee and at least one trauma-informed provider in each of the six regions. This approach allowed for thorough, targeted area coverage while ensuring appropriate and respectful outreach. Thank you to all who participated in this effort.”
Diane Hewitt-Johnson, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.’s CEO stated, “COI is focused on working collaboratively with the city, county, and service providers to continue to address and prevent homelessness in our community. We look forward to working with everyone involved to develop short- and long-term solutions to prevent and respond to local homelessness.”
Volunteers surveyed 27 of the homeless individuals to better understand their circumstances. The data presented in the report includes basic demographic information and barriers that unsheltered individuals were experiencing.
The report reveals that while a portion of people experiencing homelessness have migrated from surrounding communities, the majority are from Jamestown. When asked where they were last living before becoming homeless, 63.0% responded Jamestown, 14.8% from elsewhere in Chautauqua County, 11.1% from Cattaraugus County, and 11.1% from outside of New York State.
Homeless individuals also confirmed the prevalence of mental health conditions, domestic violence and physical disabilities among the unhoused in Chautauqua County. Eighty percent of respondents said they were living with a mental health condition, seventy percent indicated they were using substances, while 47.1% confirmed a physical disability, and 29.2% had experienced domestic violence.
The full Point-in-Time Count report can be found here. Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI) serves as the lead agency for the Chautauqua County Continuum of Care. The Continuum of Care is the local coalition of private and public organizations who work together to respond to homelessness.