The director of the HOPE Center, Karrie Miller, says the count gives them an idea of how many people in our community are facing the issue of being homeless. Miller says the numbers can be quite surprising, but not always in a bad way.

HOPE Center Director Karrie Miller says, "For those of us that work in social services, I think the count always seems a bit low because we tend to see more people in our offices, but we do try to get as many people as possible. The count numbers fluctuate a little bit, but this year we're really trying to make an extra effort to get everyone counted and everyone surveyed that's appropriate."

The count ends at noon Wednesday and Miller says the numbers will then be compiled and sent to the state. From there the state will decide how much funding the community gets to help serve the poor.

-Tessa Thomas