Point in Time and Housing Inventory Count Estimates of Homelessness

This data source provides counts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the United States at the state and county levels. The PIT count is a one-night snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January each year, whereas the HIC count is an inventory of the number of beds and units available in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and other types of temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness. Beginning in 2011, homeless veterans are also included in the estimates.

It can be used to identify trends and changes in homelessness over time, plan and allocate resources for programs and services to address homelessness, and evaluate each program and service’s effectiveness.