On Thursday, January 22, 2026, our Code Blue Coordinator, Natalie Maxwell, and Associate Executive Director, Stephanie Romeo, joined thousands of teams across the country to take part in HUD’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count.
The Point-in-Time Count is a nationwide effort led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that takes place every January. On a single day, volunteers and outreach workers conduct a person-by-person count of people experiencing homelessness in their communities.
This count includes people staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as individuals living outdoors — in wooded areas, encampments, cars, or other public spaces where people are known to sleep.
Why just one night?
The PIT Count is designed to provide a consistent snapshot of homelessness across the country. By counting on the same night nationwide, HUD can better understand trends over time — whether homelessness is increasing or decreasing, and where the greatest needs exist.
Why the PIT Count matters
The results of the Point-in-Time Count directly impact federal funding decisions. HUD uses this data to determine how resources are distributed for programs such as:
- Permanent Supportive Housing
- Transitional Housing
- Rapid Rehousing
These funds are allocated to local Continuums of Care — regional networks of organizations working together to prevent and respond to homelessness.
In short, the PIT Count helps ensure that communities receive the resources they need to respond effectively to homelessness.
It also helps us identify anyone who is living outside during critically cold weather and provides the opportunity for us to encourage people to use our shelter programs.
More than numbers
Behind every number in the PIT Count is a real person — someone facing housing instability, health challenges, or barriers to safe shelter. Participating in the count helps make those experiences visible and ensures they are included in decisions that shape housing and support services.
We are grateful to our staff and volunteers who participated in this important effort, and to everyone working year-round to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
One of the areas our volunteers visited.
One of the encampments visited during the annual Point-in-Time Count.
Our friend Brendan Norton from Malibu Recovery brought coffee and encouragement to our volunteers.