Schuylkill County is gearing up to find out how many people are homeless as of Jan. 25.

Commissioners on Wednesday issued a proclamation endorsing the work, done by the county's Mental Health and Developmental Services, Drug & Alcohol programs, Children & Youth Services, the Office of Veterans Affairs, Schuylkill Community Action, Service Access & Management, the Office of Senior Services.The county now has its first homeless shelter for men since 2009, operated by Servants To All.The shelter opened last year at the United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, and has beds for 13 men. The organization also has a day program, "My Father's House" at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville, to help people find jobs and homes."I think we're seeing great strides in the five or six years we've been doing this," said Keith Semerod, of the county's Mental Health and Developmental Services, police departments and churches.The homeless count is part of a national Point In Time count aimed at determining the numbers of people without a place to stay.Workers will scout out the homeless at soup kitchens and other places in the county.They will help people with vouchers for shelter and food. The numbers from the annual count will help the county get federal aid to help the homeless.Last year's count, done by the Local Housing Options Team, consisting of members of various social services agencies, found 33 people who did not have a warm, safe place to sleep that night.