Annual Point in Time Count

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a national, annual census of people experiencing homelessness in the United States. The count takes place during the last 10 days of January and is conducted by volunteers and outreach workers who go out into communities to identify and count people who are experiencing homelessness, both sheltered and unsheltered.

The PIT count is an important tool for understanding the scope and nature of homelessness in the US. It provides data on the number and characteristics of people experiencing homelessness on a single night and helps to inform local and national policies and strategies for addressing homelessness.

The PIT count is also a requirement for communities that receive funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homelessness programs, including supportive housing programs. HUD uses the data collected through the PIT count to allocate funding and evaluate the effectiveness of homelessness programs.

Overall, the PIT count is a crucial component of efforts to end homelessness in the US. By providing accurate and up-to-date data on the number and characteristics of people experiencing homelessness, communities can better target their resources and efforts to prevent and end homelessness.