The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Washington State Department of Commerce require communities to conduct a one-day Point-in-Time (PIT) Count to survey individuals experiencing homelessness. PIT Counts are one source of data among many that help us understand the magnitude and characteristics of people who are experiencing homeless in our community and in the United States. In Kitsap County this is performed in the last week of January.
The count includes two groups:
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Sheltered: people staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing. Shelter and housing programs report these numbers
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Unsheltered: people sleeping outdoors, in vehicles, or in places not meant for people to live. Trained volunteers and outreach workers connect with them and survey them.
The survey asks where people slept on the night of the count, where they last lived, and what led to them losing their housing. It also asks information abou their age, how long they have been experiencing homelessness, any disabilities, veteran status, and if they are fleeing domestic violence.
Results help the County, state and federal government plan services and set funding. They reports also show changes in our community over time.
Limits of the count: the count is a snapshot of one night, and it may miss people. Taking the survey is voluntary. Results can also change with the weather, the number of shelter beds open that night, and how many volunteer participate. Consider these limitations when comparing one year to the next. For other ways homelessness is measured in Kitsap, see
Capturing counts and methods.
