Social service agencies throughout Northwest Montana are gearing up for Thursday’s annual Montana Housing Status Inventory Survey (previously the Montana Homeless Survey).

People who consider themselves homeless or at risk of being homeless may fill out surveys at a number of drop-in locations.

The survey, which will be conducted on Thursday, Jan. 24, provides information about the homeless in Northwest Montana and is linked to future funding opportunities for programs and services for those in need and creating new housing resources.

Families and individuals who may not already be connected with participating social service agencies are encouraged to complete surveys at drop-in sites in Kalispell: Gateway Community Center information desk; Flathead Job Service, 427 First Ave. E.; Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana at 214 Main St. or Samaritan House at 124 Ninth Ave. W. 

Surveys will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday.

People who consider themselves homeless may complete surveys over the telephone by calling Help Net at 752-8181 from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Thursday. People outside Flathead County may call toll free, 1-800-332-8425.

In Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties, surveys will be conducted through domestic violence shelters, food banks and mental health centers the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1.

In addition to the agency surveys, a number of surveyors will go to motels and other areas where homeless people may be staying to locate as many homeless individuals and families as possible in Northwest Montana.

For more information, call the United Way at 752-7266 in the greater Kalispell area or toll-free at 1-888-720-7266.

Agencies participating in the survey process include United Way, Flathead Job Service, Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana, Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic, Samaritan House, Salvation Army, Ray of Hope, Flathead Food Bank, Violence Free Crisis Line-Abbie Shelter, Lamplighter House, Mental Health Center, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Bank, Neighbors in Need, Department of Public Assistance, Flathead Youth Home, Special Friends Advocacy Program and Help Net-First Call for Help.