The Montgomery County Council is considering a special appropriation of almost $650,000 to house its most vulnerable homeless residents.
Tuesday's hearing comes after a homeless census revealed the county has more than 350 homeless people, including many hidden in encampments in the woods.
Volunteers conducted the census over three days two weeks ago. Among the volunteers: the council's new president Craig Rice.
The survey assessed the health and living conditions of the county's homeless population. Volunteers identified 156 homeless residents as the county's most medically vulnerable, and therefore most at risk of dying as winter nears.
The county council said the $649,325 fund would go toward permanent, supportive housing solutions for that group.
The money would come from the county's general fund reserves and would be spent over the 2014 fiscal year.
This year, the county participated for the first time in the 100,000 Homes Campaign, which works to find housing options for homeless individuals and families across the country.
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Tuesday's hearing is open to the public. It's set for 1:30 p.m. in the third floor hearing room of the council's office building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.
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