Durham's Point in Time Count shines light on struggles of homeless population

This program aims to shed light on the struggles of those experiencing homelessness, offering them a voice and vital resources.

Damon Johnson is currently homeless.

"I've just learned to adapt to where I am until I'm able to get better." Johnson said.

He's a 50 year old veteran, working to get back on his feet.

Cynthia Bullock and her son have been without a home for about two years, after losing their jobs at the same time.

"We would stay at hotels as much as we could, but it's hard to work and pay daily on a hotel. that's a lot. finally it came to the point where we just didn't have the money." Bullock said.

The volunteers met Johnson and Bullock as part of a PIT count, staffed by more than one hundred volunteers.

"It gives these individuals who are virtually invisible a voice," Dante Johnson, Point in Time volutneer said.

Dante Johnson lead the team through different areas of Durham, surveying residents.

"It's so that everyone who is unsheltered is accounted for, and so that housing for new hope can come back out here and check on you," Johnson tells a group of homeless people.

He knows some people from his day to day work at Housing for New Hope.

"It's unfortunate to see the condition of the folks we're serving. but also, to see their unwavering spirit, and how they tend to keep a smile on their face and keep hope alive,"Johnson said.

Everyone we met had a consistent message.

A little kindness goes a long way.

"It could happen to anybody. i know people, they see homeless people on the street or even holding signs, even if you don't give them money, just give them a smile, you know? because you eventually start to feel invisible," Bullock said.

Last year's PIT Count in Wake County showed 683 households, and 916 people, experiencing homelessness.

We are still waiting on this year's numbers for both counties.