Contact: Kathy Lyons, Economic Services Director at 970-328-8841 or kathleen.lyons@eaglecounty.us 

Beginning next week, Eagle County Health & Human Services (HHS) will participate in a tri-county survey to obtain information on those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin Counties. The effort is being conducted as part of the statewide Colorado Counts initiative and the national 100,000 Homes Campaign.

The survey is intended to identify service gaps and to provide baseline data for use in determining resources needed to address those gaps.

“Our goal is to help our residents who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness become self-sufficient,” said Kathy Lyons, Economic Services Director for the county. “To do that, we need to know what their issues and barriers are to stable living situations, not just what we think they are.”

Partnering with HHS are Eagle County’s Housing Department, Vail Valley Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. Volunteers are still needed and training will be held on Monday, Aug. 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the WECMRD Field House in Edwards. Volunteer registration is online at www.coloradocounts.org. Surveys will be conducted throughout the week, with additional surveys taking place over the next month as service organizations meet with clients.

A debrief will be held this fall to share results of the survey with all interested community members, service organizations and elected officials.