Census coordinators are trying to make sure every person in Central New York is counted. Especially in communities that haven't been properly counted in the past. 

In a survey conducted by the U.S. census of historically under counted communities, they found undocumented immigrants and people experiencing homelessness rank toward the top of that list. 

"We have to find them to be able to count them. We have to make sure that they know where to be counted and that they should be counted. Then, we have to find the services and agencies that are finding the services they need," said Amy Brombos, Partnership Coordinator for the New York State Census.

That's where the United Way Comes in. Each year they conduct a "Point In Time" count by going into communities and assesing homelessness.

It gives a one day snap shot of what homelessness looks like in communities across the country," said Sarah Schutt, Homeless Management Information System Administrator at United Way. 

They, in turn, share it with the Census Bureau so people experiencing homelessness are easier to find.

"We are able to get a lot of the addresses and neighborhood from that point in time count. So the cities and counties will provide us those list of the organizations that are provided in that community and tell us the organizations where they are sleeping," said Brombos.

They say it's important to note the Census definition of homeless is different than others, when filling out the form.

"Most people think homeless is a visual picture. They picture the guy or the girl being literally on the streets." said Schutt.

"Not every homeless person is out on the street. some of them go couch to couch, home to home, staying with friends and relatives," said Brombos. 

They say it's important that people use April 1st as their point of reference.

People experiencing homelessness, and staying in other people's homes, should be counted in the household they're sleeping in on that date

The United Way and The Census say people experiencing homeless should know their count matters and will help them with future services. 

"If you're not counted, we don't know that you're here. We don't know there's a need," said Schutt. 

For more debunking of Census myths, visit our Census 101.