Unless there’s a repeat of December’s blizzard, one thing is a given: the annual statewide survey of the homeless population in New Jersey will take place Jan. 26.

The county-by-county effort reflects a nationwide mandate by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to count the homeless population nationally over the course of a single day in the last week of January.

Following HUD guidelines, the count covers all jurisdictions that intend to apply for funding for homeless services. The aim is to identify the level of need in each community with an eye toward federal funding.

The 24-hour day unfolds in a two fold manner with the Point-In-Time Survey by social services workers on the streets and the Homeless Connect portion of the project which counts homeless in shelters, soup kitchens and central locations.

At the central locations, advocates such as the Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness will have organized events that encourage people to come in from the cold for the day, complete the survey, avail themselves of services and enjoy some social time with help from scores of volunteers.

It takes about five minutes for each individual to complete the survey, said Tarry Truitt of the Mercer Alliance who has devoted countless hours to the planning and the preparation of the event.

“Then each person is given a gym bag to collect the materials we’ll have on hand,” she said. Many services will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Trenton, located at Centre Street and Bridge Street.

Lunch and clothing will be available as well counselors from Social Security, Veterans and Legal Services.

There will be housing contacts to make, medical and vision screenings to be had, information on General Assistance and Food Stamps, haircuts, massages, books and other giveaways. The Point-In-Time Survey by social service workers operates out of a Salvation Army van in locations throughout Trenton, she said. “We go where we think the people are in areas throughout the city. People get something hot to eat in the process of taking the survey. We do some food distribution and give away warm clothing.”

It’s clear that gearing up for the Point-In-Time Survey and Project Homeless Connect is no small task, but Truitt said she feels that “it’s all getting to the point where you feel it’s well organized. We are hopeful that we’ll have a good event pending the weather.”

Volunteers are still needed for the Homeless Connect Service Fair, she noted. It’s a HUD requirement that all volunteers go through brief training periods and three sessions are scheduled: Jan. 12 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.; Jan. 14 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. all at the Rescue Mission of Trenton, 98 Carroll Street, Trenton.

The training includes learning what services are offered, how to determine what the clients need, the logistics of the event, practice doing the survey with clients. Volunteers will also receive their parking passes, locations and additional basic information, Truitt said. Truitt, who is hoping for a good volunteer turnout again this year, will be seeing Nicole Grady of Catholic Charities’ Mercer Emergency and Community Services once again.

“I volunteered last year and helped set up food and clothing and health information. I want to volunteer again this year,” said Grady, a program coordinator. “It was very interesting and it gave me a good feeling to provide a service to people in need.”

To register to volunteer or to ask any questions, contact Tarry Truitt, Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness, [email protected] or call (609) 844-1008.

The following contacts can provide information in the other three counties of the diocese: Monmouth County: Laurie Duhovny, (732) 683-2102, [email protected];   Ocean County: Kathy Jaworski, (732) 506-5374, [email protected]; Burlington County: Jennifer Hiros, (609) 2655593, [email protected].