What is the Point-In-Time Count?
The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is an annual count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January overseen by the Continuum of Care and required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The sheltered count takes place every year and counts folks living in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night. The unsheltered people experiencing homelessness is required every other year (odd numbered years) and counts folks living in places not meant for human habitation (cars, outside, etc). Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally and the final report is completed and submitted to HUD by local HMIS groups (in our case, ICA) and the Continuum of Care (in our case the VT Balance of State Continuum of Care).
What is the Housing Inventory Count (HIC)?
The Housing Inventory Count (HIC) is an inventory of provider programs within a Continuum of Care that provide beds and units dedicated to serving persons experiencing homelessness. These provider programs include Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Rapid Re-Housing (RRH), Safe Haven, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). The HIC Count provides a snapshot of a CoC’s inventory of beds and units a single night near the end of January.
PIT and HIC Count Guidance and Tools
Guides, tools, webinars, and other resources related to Point-in-Time (PIT) Count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC) are provided to assist local groups and CoCs in preparing for and completing these reports.
View PIT Count and HIC Guides, Tools, and Webinars at the HUD Exchange.
National Data Related to PIT and HIC
- PIT & HIC Data 2007-2018
- National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.endhomelessness.org/blog/c/point-in-time-counts