FARGO — With many Fargo-Moorhead shelters full because of a forecast blizzard and sub zero temperatures, some people without homes were forced to spend the night outside in life-threatening cold.

Around 850 people are homeless in the Fargo metro area, according to local counts. Some were fortunate enough to find shelter for the night, but earlier on Wednesday, Jan. 23, there were 250 on a waiting list.

People who had to spend the night out on the street weren't alone though.

Ethan Hoepfner of Youthworks along with others who work with homeless people, joined people stuck in the cold to get a better grasp on the number of "hidden" homeless people in the community.

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"Sleeping on a park bench, in an abandoned house, down by the river, under the bridge," Hoepfner said, describing where he and others would be spending the night.

It's part of a national effort called the "Point in Time Count." Communities all across the country will be counting heads outside of their local shelters.

"It's very critical," said Pastor Sue Koesterman of Churches United for the Homeless, explaining that every person needs to be counted to ensure outreach programs get the money they need and can meet demand.

The count comes as regional shelters dispute a recent report that showed homelessness in North Dakota dropped 50 percent.

"We know the demand is steady, the number seems to stay pretty static Kosterman said.

In a rare move, the federal government allowed the head count to be postponed due to the storm.