Showing Up After Dark: What We Learned from This Year’s Point‑in‑Time Count
Every January, across the United States, communities participate in the Point‑in‑Time (PIT) Count — a one‑night snapshot of how many people are experiencing homelessness.
Required by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), the PIT Count documents both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness and helps communities plan services, secure federal funding, and track changes over time.
According to HUD, the PIT Count “captures the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night” and supports decisions about local needs and national funding priorities.
This year, four members of our team volunteered for the unsheltered count alongside PATH and Generocity513 teams. Their reflections capture not just stories, but the emotional truth behind the data.
Seeing the Impact Up Close
BZ, whose role is usually computer‑based, described the night as a rare and powerful look at the front line of our work.
“The first person we met was sleeping under stairs in a garage. He was happy to see us—eager, even. Because he works during the day, he had never crossed paths with outreach workers. PIT night made that connection possible. Without it, he might never have been found.”
Moments like this highlight how easily people fall through the gaps in service systems—and how meaningful one conversation can be.
Building Bridges Across the Community
For KR, this year was different because she was part of the planning process.
She reached out to more than 115 municipal contacts — police departments, township administrators, and city leaders. The response surprised her.
“They called. They emailed. They offered help. Departments followed up with updates from officers. Some wanted to support that night; others asked how they could help afterward. We didn’t just conduct a count — we built relationships.”
For someone who once experienced homelessness in the same region, the compassion she encountered was deeply meaningful.
A Closer Look at Reality
HG’s team encountered fourteen individuals throughout the night. Some were in dangerous situations: sleeping in a broken‑down sedan warmed by an open flame. Police intervened in one case where a fight had broken out.
But what struck her most were the encampments — some empty, some decorated with personal touches.
“They felt like neighborhoods. Flags, fences, bookcases — these weren’t just tents. They were homes.”
And yet the most haunting part was who wasn’t there.
“Twenty‑four verified street‑homeless families are currently waiting for shelter. Many stay hidden, afraid that asking for help could put them at risk of losing their children.”
The Human Story Behind the Data
RS’s group encountered only a handful of people — but what stayed with her was the unwavering dedication of their PATH team lead, Jerrica.
“She knew everyone. She’d been building trust for months, sometimes longer. Listening to her tell a woman she’d soon qualify as ‘chronic,’ I realized how the data points I work with translate into real human priority — real hope.”
Like others, she was struck by the fear that keeps some families hidden from services. The thought of children growing up in tents or cars, unseen and unsupported, has stayed with her.
Why it Matters
The PIT Count is not perfect—no one-night survey ever could capture the full scope of homelessness. But it creates something essential:
- Visibility for people who are often unseen
- Connection for those who miss outreach teams during usual hours
- Data that determines millions in federal funding
- Momentum for collaboration across municipalities
- Awareness for communities that want to help
Most importantly, it reminds all of us why our work matters.
One night. A few hours. And moments that stay with us for months — sometimes years.