Continuums of Care (CoCs) across the country undertake community-wide efforts to collect information on the number and characteristics of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires CoCs to complete this point-in-time (PIT) count at least every two years during the last ten days of January. 2011 is a required year, and planning for conducting the count is underway.
Collecting good data on the number, characteristics, and service needs of individuals, families, and unaccompanied children experiencing homelessness is a critical component of local homeless planning and program development. Accurate data helps communities to:
Nationally, the PIT count process will be used as the primary data source for federal agencies to understand homelessness trends and track progress against the goals and objectives contained in Opening Doors, the Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. Additionally, the Congressionally-mandated Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is prepared using PIT and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data.
It is critically important that homeless service providers, whether HUD-funded or not, participate in planning for and conducting the PIT count. In particular, CoCs should be sure to reach out to providers serving homeless veterans and unaccompanied children to ensure the accurate and appropriate collection of PIT data for these two subpopulations.
In 2011, all CoCs are required to complete a PIT count of homeless people for a single night during the last 10 days in January. Conducting the PIT count outside the last 10 days of January 2011 requires the CoC to submit a waiver to HUD. Waiver requests should be submitted via email to Michael Roanhouse, Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) at michael.roanhouse@hud.gov and must include the proposed date of the count and the rationale for selecting a date outside the last 10 days of January.
The PIT data reported to HUD must include only persons who meet HUD's homeless definition (e.g., literally homeless). While some communities may choose to capture data on precariously housed persons (i.e., those staying with friends, couch surfing, etc.) for local planning purposes, this data must not be reported to HUD.
HUD has made important changes to collecting and reporting 2011 Housing Inventory Counts, including bed type updates and data check recommendations prior to submission. For details CoCs should review Instructions for Completing the 2011 Housing Inventory (PDF, 10 pages).
All PIT and HIC questions should be submitted to the Virtual Help Desk on HUD's Homelessness Resource Exchange (www.hudhre.info). To submit a question:
HUD will ship posters for the National Street and Shelter Point-in-Time Count to each CoC on December 17, 2010. The posters are being printed in two sizes and will also be available for download from the HRE (www.hudhre.info) no later than December 17th.
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