HUD Releases Annual Point-in-Time Results
The 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress was released on November 17, 2016. This report, issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), details the results of the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, which gives a snapshot of the estimated number and demographics of people experiencing homelessness – sheltered and unsheltered in January 2016 and 2015.
The results of the report, combined with those in other annualized reports, such as from HUD’s Homeless Management Information System and the U.S. Department of Education, help policy makers understand the number of people who experience homelessness or housing instability over the course of the year. The combined results also help inform capacity needs for homelessness crisis response systems and give a picture of the impact of strategic initiatives to address homelessness.
The 2016 PIT count results indicate important decreases in homelessness from 2010 to 2016.
- Overall homelessness decreased by 14 percent.
- Veteran homelessness decreased by 47 percent.
- Chronic homelessness decreased by 27 percent.
- Family homelessness decreased by 23 percent.
Since 2015, the report details that homelessness declined by three percent overall. For unaccompanied homeless youth, under the age of 18 and between the ages of 18 to 24, homelessness decreased by six percent.
In response to this year’s report, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) emphasized next steps, including increasing the supply of affordable housing, improving connections to employment services, and maintaining partnerships throughout all levels of government. In addition, USICH recently posted a new webinar to help communities prepare for the 2017 Point-in-Time count.
Read the 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.
Access the USICH webinar to prepare for the 2017 Point-in-Time count.