The Point-in-Time Count, or PIT Count, is a comprehensive census of people experiencing homelessness on a single night. PIT Counts are required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are conducted every two years during the last 10 days of January.

The PIT Count is comprised of two parts:

1. A census of people who are experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness on a single night, and
2. A multi-question survey of those experiencing unsheltered homelessness about their demographics and circumstances.

The 2024 PIT Count was conducted on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, and continued through Wednesday January 31, 2024, and captured demographic data on people experiencing homelessness in San Luis Obispo County. The PIT Count included more than 250 volunteers deploying from seven logistic centers countywide. The PIT Count represents a collaborative effort involving dedicated volunteers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and individuals experiencing homelessness who came together to assess homelessness in our community on a single night. Through their efforts, valuable data was gathered that will assist the county and community in understanding the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.

2024 PIT Count data shows a 19% reduction in homelessness in San Luis Obispo County based on the data captured. Increasing sheltered inventory alongside decreasing unsheltered homelessness county-wide is an encouraging trend reflecting a growing system of care. A complete analysis of homelessness in any community won’t come from one initiative alone, and yet PIT Count data is promising as the County continues to expand service provision, community partnerships, and pathways to housing. The overall picture of homelessness in any community is informed by both the information learned during a PIT Count and a balanced review of data continued within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The San Luis Obispo Continuum of Care migrated to a new HMIS database on March 4, 2024.

The 2022 Point-In-Time Count was conducted using a sample survey methodology in which only a subset of the population is surveyed, and that sample is used to represent the entire population under study. In the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, a full census was completed with a focus on completing surveys with as many individuals as possible. This preferred methodology increased the reliability of the data collected. With this change, the number of individuals surveyed increased from 29% in 2022 to 64% in 2024. Surveys are only completed on unsheltered individuals. Of the 800 identified individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, 513 were surveyed.

For the PIT Count initiative, the location for an individual experiencing homelessness was determined by the location the survey was administered. The data verification process for determining location was completed in three specific ways:

1. By the app Survey instrument which utilized ArcGIS mapping software and collected GIS coordinates for the location captured when a survey was submitted;
2. Surveyors had the opportunity to ‘write in’ the location of the individual, whether they were counted via observation or survey; and
3. Cross-referencing the surveyor assignment, which would include the assigned logistics center and census map.

The PIT Count is a single measure of homelessness taken on one night and cannot be used to measure homelessness overall in any community. While the overall decline is encouraging, looking at any one location’s increase should not be perceived as an increase in homelessness in that particular location. As noted above, with the focus being on completing surveys so that an accurate count could be conducted, locations that had a service location where individuals experiencing homeless could receive services such as meals or case management would naturally lead to a higher number of individuals being counted in that location. That does not mean that is the location they typically reside in. Additionally, some jurisdictions had a larger number of service providers and/or volunteers conducting the count which may also have led to more people being counted in that location. The takeaway here is that having service locations encourages individuals experiencing homelessness to engage with service providers which in turn leads to a reduction of the number of people experiencing homelessness.

Each survey and observation submitted through the survey app or via paper survey was verified by the team at Thurmond Consulting, LLC, the Homeless Services Division, and technical assistance provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Data sets were cross referenced by unique client data and surveyor information and location to determine duplicate surveys. There were more than 150 duplicate surveys determined in the verification process illustrating the volunteers were capturing surveys as people may have moved during the day or days ensuring expansive geographic coverage.

There was a data set released to the public on May 6 prior to a completed HUD verification with the knowledge that the federal verification process could change the final numbers by an amount fewer than 10 people overall. While not insignificant, confidence in the data set remained and trends were already evident.

Information is shared with homeless service providers, government personnel, and city jurisdiction to inform priorities and funding opportunities.

Data from the PIT Count is directly reported to HUD and nationwide PIT Count data is compiled to create the congressional Annual Homelessness Assessment Report. Regionally, information from the PIT Count is included in performance measures reported to California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal-ICH).