What is it?
The Point in Time is an unduplicated count of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines literal homelessness as living in a place not meant for human habitation, emergency shelter, or some transitional housing programs.
Persons at risk of becoming homeless (such as those staying with friends or family or staying in a motel) are not included in this count.
Click here to view HUD’s 2024 Notice of PIT & HIC data collection.
Why is it done?
The Tennessee Valley Continuum of Care is mandated by HUD to organize the PIT Count in January. While helping to determine the scope of homelessness, PIT data is used to:
MAKE CHANGE LOCALLY:
- Make the case for resources and policies
- Secure federal funding
- Advocate for Equity
- Raise community/political awareness
MAKE CHANGE NATIONALLY:
- Reported to Congress (2023 Annual Housing Assessment Report part 1)
- Used by activist/lobbyists/politicians (e.g., USICH ALL IN: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness )
- Guides national decisions on target populations/ equity
How is it done?
TVCoC works closely with leads in the twelve counties to determine the needs and resources of each community, organize the count and survey, and ensure each count is compliant with HUD guidelines. There are slight variations in each community’s approach depending on their needs and resources.
Who Counts?
How accurate is it?
The PIT Count is only one measure of the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community, with numerous variables such as weather, volunteer engagement, and capacity that could result in an undercount.
When is it?
HUD mandates that a PIT Count is “carried out on one night in the last 10 calendar days of January or at such other time as required by HUD.”
TVCoC’s 2025 Point in Time count took place on January 29, 2025
Thank you to all who volunteered and helped organize the PIT count!
PIT Count Resources