2024 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Point in Time Count
Each year communities across the country conduct the annual Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point-in-Time (PIT) count, a comprehensive effort to gather data on homelessness. It takes place on a single night in January each year and
Each year communities across the country conduct the annual Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point-in-Time (PIT) count, a comprehensive effort to gather data on homelessness. It takes place on a single night in January each year and provides a snapshot of homelessness at that particular moment.
One of the critical aspects of the PIT count is estimating the number of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The Unsheltered Homeless Census aims to capture information on individuals who are experiencing homelessness and living in places not meant for human habitation, such as on the streets, in vehicles, or in encampments. It involves volunteers and outreach teams canvassing the community to locate and engage with unsheltered individuals. They conduct surveys to collect data on various demographic characteristics, including age, gender, veteran status, and length of time experiencing homelessness. The goal is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the unsheltered homeless population and their specific needs. Last year we counted 288 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
In addition to providing people we survey with needed cold weather supplies, we also strive to be able to provide warm breakfast sandwiches and hot coffee. Food is one of the items that we are unable to purchase through available event funding streams. We estimate that we need approximately $2,000 to be able to provide coffee and breakfast to the people we survey. All surplus funds raised in addition to what is needed for breakfast will be used to purchase PIT supplies that require a more flexible funding source. Any remaining funding after the PIT count will be utilized to purchase supplies to support people who are living unsheltered throughout the year.