A count of the local homeless population will take place this week.

Officials with the Region 11 Planning Council to address homelessness will conduct the annual Point in Time homeless count on Thursday. The count is required by the state. Organizers say this one-day event gives a “snapshot” of the number of homeless in our area. They say the count is done to capture where individuals slept the night of Wednesday, January 25. This count helps to determine the amount of funding our region obtains for shelter and permanent housing programs.

Region 11 includes Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby Counties.

Organizers say that sites have been set up in each county for homeless to conduct the survey and receive care packages. Those who are homeless, or anyone who knows someone who is homeless, are urged to call United Way 2-1-1 at (812) 376-6666 or 2-1-1 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information on locations.