If you’ve ever worked or volunteered at any homeless service organization, chances are you’ve heard of the PIT Count. Even if you haven’t worked or volunteered, you might know that every January something big relating to homelessness happens.
Read below to learn what the PIT Count is, why volunteers are important, and how you can help!
What is the PIT Count?
PIT stands for “Point-in-Time,” and it’s a count of all people experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which funds many programs focusing on homelessness, requires the count in part so there is a national uniform measurement from year to year. The count also helps everyone understand the scope of homelessness in their area.
The count is incredibly important, but it also has its limitations. Like its name describes, it’s a snapshot in time on one evening in January. If it were conducted another time of year, it’s likely it would be different. How HUD defines homeless has an effect on the count as well.
Still, because it is a standard, uniform study conducted the same way every year across the country, it’s one of the most important activities every year for the homeless services community.
When is the PIT Count?
For 2020, the Point-in-Time Count happens overnight on Wednesday, January 22, into Thursday, January 23. It’s the same time nationwide. If weather is particularly bad or dangerous that night, then the count will happen the next night instead.
The event kicks off with volunteer registration and a celebration starting at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 North Broad Street.
There is also a companion Youth Count during the day on Thursday, January 23, 2020. Valley Youth House leads this count, which kicks off early in the morning at The Hive at 30 South 15th Street.
Who runs the PIT Count?
It’s a wonderful collaboration! The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities Services, Project HOME, Valley Youth House, and the VA Medical Center all work together to make the volunteer event a success.
Why are volunteers important?
The count involves literally, physically patrolling specific geographic areas in Philadelphia and counting people. There are short surveys, too. To cover all of Philadelphia, it takes several hundred volunteers every year.
Volunteers work in teams that each have an experienced team lead who can answer any questions and ensure the evening is a success. Volunteers must all go through online training.
Many volunteers were once homeless themselves. In fact, we encourage you to forward this information to your networks so we can maximize the number of people with lived experience volunteering.
How can I volunteer?
If you’re interested in volunteering for the PIT Count, please visit Project HOME’s volunteer signup page. If you have questions about volunteering for the PIT Count, contact Project HOME’s Madelaine Guss via email at madelaineguss@projecthome.org.
If you’re interested in volunteering for the Youth Count, please visit Valley Youth House’s registration site. If you have questions about volunteering for the Youth Count, please email Alyssa Weinfurtner at aweinfurtner@valleyyouthhouse.org.
If I am a reporter with questions about the count, who should I contact?
If you’re a journalist and need information, comments, or to embed with a team counting that night, please contact Josh Kruger of the Office of Homeless Services via email at josh.kruger@phila.gov.
