Annual Point In Time Count

What is the Point-in-Time Count?

The Point-in-Time Count, or “PIT”, is an annual count of all persons experiencing homelessness on a single night. The PIT takes place nationwide, and is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Together, the PIT and the Housing Inventory Count enable communities to identify potential gaps in service delivery and inform decisions around policies and funding.

During the PIT Count there is a large-scale community-wide effort to identify folks experiencing homelessness that may not otherwise be counted, namely those that are unsheltered, or living on the street or in a place not meant for habitation (such as a car or abandoned building). In Minnesota, we also count those that are doubled up (which means they are “couch hopping” or temporarily staying with family or friends).

The PIT illuminates the impact we as a community are having on reducing and ending homelessness (similar to a census). While it isn’t feasible to count every single person experiencing homelessness every day, counting on the same set of days each year provides a snapshot for comparison over time. Consistent questions asked every year across the state help us examine trends, watch for changes, and help better understand how to target resources.