The Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter (MATS) is commissioned by

the county mayor's office to conduct the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count

of homeless individuals for Hamblen County. The PIT Count is mandated

each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

and MATS has conducted Hamblen County's count with the help of

dedicated volunteers for 12 years now. 

 

The annual PIT count is essential to provide government and agency officials a clear picture of the need in counties across the country and will help determine future funding for agencies helping homeless individuals. This funding is particularly important when shelters fill to capacity during the winter months.

 

For MATS, the count also gives their staff and volunteers an opportunity to

tell homeless individuals about the programs offered at the shelter. 

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