Point in Time Count

What is the Point in Time Count?

The Annual Point in Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. HUD requires that all Continuum of Cares (CoCs) conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night. CoCs must also conduct a count of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness every other year (odd numbered years). Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally. OC3 has historically conducted both counts every year per recommendation from the CoC Governing Board.

How is the Point in Time Count conducted?

OC3 is the coordinator for the Point in Time count for 26 counties covered under the CoC geographic service area. We designate agency leads for our regions defined in our charter. 

CoCs have the optopn to conduct surveys on one night only or collect data about where poeple stayed on a certain date over the course of a period of time, up to seven days. The one-night blitz approach is most effective in metropolitan areas with large street outreach teams. Because of the diversity in our geographic service area, each region may conduct the count with a strategy that aligns with HUD guidance and CoC best practices, but fits their community needs.

All of OC3s service area uses either CountingUs for digital input of surveys or paper surveys.