2013 Point-In-Time Count’s New Methodology Explained
Communications Admin • July 8, 2013
By Dr. Cathy Troisi, Associate Professor at the University Of Texas School Of Public Health
Several significant changes were made in the methodology of the 2011 count to improve the completeness and accuracy of the enumeration and these were implemented and enhanced in the 2012 and 2013 counts as well. The first was the involvement of traditional homeless services providers under the umbrella of the Coalition for the Homeless along with academia (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health) and a local health department [Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS)].
This collaboration was exemplified by including the implementation of an Incident Command System (ICS), a standardized management tool used in fire, police, and public health preparedness activities ensuring integration of efforts through its defined organizational structure. ICS has many advantages including an orderly, systematic planning process and clear chains of command and supervision. Command Central was set up at HDHHS.
Other improvements in 2013 included use of ten staging areas, an increase of four over the six staging areas used in 2010 and one over the nine used in 2011 and 2012. The additional staging areas reduced travel time needed by teams to get into the field and thus increased their time available to count the homeless. One practice count took place on January 22th before the actual count on January 29th. This allowed Staging Area Captains and Co-Captains as well as the Surface and Outreach Specialist teams to become familiar with their duties and the geographic areas which they were to cover.
Enumeration activity included the Ft. Bend area to better characterize homelessness in that county. Efforts in the past to count Ft. Bend homeless individuals have not been optimized and so the extent of the problem has not been well defined. By increasing the number of teams and adding a staging area in the county, we were able to get a better picture of homelessness in that area.
Improvements were made to the composition and function of teams that counted the unsheltered homeless. Volunteer teams included homeless and formerly homeless individuals who could guide teams to locations where the homeless are likely to be found. The use of Outreach Specialist Teams to canvass areas not readily seen by teams driving by resulted in fewer unsheltered homeless remaining undetected. On the night of the count, “SWAT” teams were formed with HDHHS personnel. These teams were sent out to sectors that needed additional assistance identifying and counting homeless persons, thus increasing coverage of all areas.
The methodology of the sheltered count also was enhanced. This was accomplished in two ways. First, a greater effort was made to identify and inventory all emergency shelters in the area, whether or not they were officially part of the Houston/Harris County Continuum of Care. Secondly, shelters that use the housing inventory chart were encouraged to return that form for the night of the PIT and follow-up calls were made to ensure they were received. For 2010, 75% of the emergency shelter projects and 69% of the transitional housing projects reported the number of persons sheltered on the night of the PIT. For the 2011-2013 counts, due to this increased effort, 100% of entities defined by HUD as housing the sheltered homeless for the purposes of the Point-in-Time count (n=65) reported their numbers. Over 94% of sheltered numbers came from HMIS, meeting the HUD requirement of >75%.
The 2013 PIT Count included a concerted effort to enumerate emancipated youth ages 24 and younger who have not been optimally counted in previous years entitled YouthCount!. This was done by sending volunteer teams to places where youth were known to congregate and administering a short survey to collect basic demographic information as well as length and reasons for homelessness. Places canvassed included Ft. Bend Women’s Center, HAY Center, Star of Hope, Salvation Army Social Services, Covenant House, Open Gate Bering UMC Youth Advocates, Kinder Emergency Shelter, Houston Area Women’s Center, and Montrose Grace Place.
A point-in-time (PIT) count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons in the Houston, Harris County, and Ft. Bend County areas was conducted from 3 to 11 pm on 29 January 2013. The purpose of the count was to determine the number of homeless persons [defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as those staying in emergency shelter, transitional housing, or safe haven with beds dedicated for homeless persons or those persons who are unsheltered (i.e., staying in a place not meant for human habitation)]. The PIT count is a federal requirement for all communities receiving funding from HUD. Although, due to the size of the geographic area that is covered by the count, we know that not all persons experiencing homelessness can be identified in a single night, the PIT Count gives a good assessment of the extent of the problem in the region.
The PIT count was organized and led by the Coalition for the Homeless in consultation with The University of Texas School of Public Health and the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. Many homeless services providers participated as well as community volunteers, including homeless and formerly homeless persons.
The 2013 count enumerated individuals staying in a total of 65 shelters including emergency shelters (n=16), transitional housing units (n=48), and one safe haven on the night of 29 January based on reports received from the providers. Unsheltered homeless individuals (those sleeping on the streets or in places not meant for habitation) were counted using two methods. Surface teams (one driver, one service provider, one homeless or formerly homeless person, and one community volunteer) drove the streets of the enumeration area observing and counting homeless individuals. Teams left from one of ten staging areas, each of which was divided into smaller sectors. The number of teams assigned to each sector was based on the prevalence of unsheltered homeless in previous counts. The surface teams counted unsheltered homeless persons found on street corners, parks, parking lots, convenience stores and other areas where they congregate.
Areas where homeless persons were likely to be found but that are not visible from the street were canvassed by Outreach Specialist Teams comprised of homeless service providers familiar with the areas through their professional work. These teams walked under bridges, along the bayous and other areas where encampments of homeless had been identified. They also investigated abandoned buildings where homeless persons may be residing. Care was taken not to double count homeless individuals.
To read the Executive Summary of the findings from the 2013 Point-in-Time Count, click here.
Houston, Texas (June 12, 2026) — The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) today released the results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count & Survey as part of the inaugural State of Homelessness in Houston report, a regional effort that combines PIT Count data with additional system indicators to provide a broader understanding of homelessness and system response across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. The report found 3,321 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in February 2026, reflecting relative stability compared to the 2025 Point-in-Time Count of 3,325. At the same time, the data highlights continued challenges related to unsheltered homelessness, economic and housing pressures, and the ongoing need for coordinated regional investment in homeless response and prevention efforts. This year’s report expands beyond the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count to include additional indicators generated through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and HUD System Performance Measures (SPMs). Together, these measures provide additional context about year-round interactions with the homeless response system, housing stability outcomes, and inflow into homelessness over time. "The Point-in-Time Count is like a photograph," said Renee Cavazos-Benavides, vice president of the homeless response system at CFTH . "It captures an important moment, but there is always more happening outside the frame. That's why this year's report includes additional indicators that help us understand how people move into homelessness, how they move back into housing, and where we need to focus our efforts as a community." Key findings from the report include: 3,321 people experiencing homelessness during the February 2026 PIT Count 35,988 unique clients served through the homeless response system, The Way Home, during calendar year 2025 2,135 households housed by partners of The Way Home during calendar year 2025 7,110 people entering homelessness for the first time during federal FY25 85% of people who exited homelessness remained stably housed over a two-year period The PIT Count found 2,051 sheltered individuals and 1,270 unsheltered individuals across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. "The additional data shows our system is doing a great job maintaining our progress, in spite of additional economic stressors and pandemic funding having been exhausted,” said Kelly Young, president and CEO of CFTH . “Further progress will depend not only on additional investments in housing and services but also on our ability to expand new interventions to resolve homelessness more quickly." More than half of unsheltered individuals identified during the PIT Count had a matching HMIS record, reflecting ongoing engagement between outreach teams and people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The findings underscore the continued need for outreach, additional pathways indoors, and sustained local investment to maintain system stability and respond to changing community needs. “The Point-in-Time Count gives our community a chance to pause and check in with people who may not yet be housed, sheltered, or consistently connected to services,” said Dr. Ben King, clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine . “It helps us capture information that does not always show up in routine system data — including where people are staying, what barriers they are facing, and what they identify as the causes of their homelessness. Used alongside HMIS data, program performance measures, and community input, the PIT Count remains an important tool to answer questions we wouldn't get to ask otherwise." The annual PIT Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps communities measure trends in homelessness over time. However, the PIT Count does not represent the total number of people who experience homelessness throughout the year. The 2026 State of Homelessness in Houston report combines PIT Count data with other key indicators to provide a more complete picture of homelessness across the region. Behind every number is a person, and a better understanding of homelessness helps communities respond more effectively. "The results remind us that homelessness is one of the most complex challenges facing our city. This is why the 419 Emancipation resource living facility is so important. We will continue working with stakeholders to move people off the streets and provide them with assistance, with the goal of reducing homelessness throughout our community and our neighborhoods," said Mayor John Whitmire. “I’m so proud that Harris County has reduced homelessness by more than 16% between 2018 and 2026, even when most other communities have seen homelessness skyrocket. We’re tackling the issue from both ends: we’re investing in programs to prevent poverty and promote economic mobility, and we’re also prioritizing safe and stable housing for those experiencing homelessness. Our community is only as successful as our most vulnerable residents, and I want to thank the Coalition for the Homeless, The Way Home, and all of our other local partners who have helped turn Harris County into a national model for reducing homelessness,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. "The 2026 Point-in-Time Count confirms that our region has remained stable while homelessness has increased in many other parts of the country. However, stability is not enough when over a thousand of our neighbors are still sleeping outside. I’m grateful to the Coalition for the Homeless, The Way Home, outreach teams, law enforcement, service providers, and volunteers for showing that a coordinated local approach can help move people from crisis toward housing,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia . “As a former street cop and sheriff, I know we do not solve homelessness by simply moving people from one place to another. We solve it by treating people with dignity, connecting them to services, and creating real pathways to housing. I remain committed to working with our partners to prevent homelessness, support our veterans and most vulnerable residents, and make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring in Harris County." “Harris County’s stability in the Point‑in‑Time Count stands out against the sharp increase in homelessness seen nationwide since the pandemic,” said Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones . “These results reflect years of continued investment in strengthening partnerships and expanding critical services, including two new emergency shelters for survivors of domestic violence. We know there is much more work ahead, and I remain committed to working alongside our partners to prevent and ultimately end homelessness in our community.” “Even with limited new funding and few new programs launched during this reporting period, Houston has remained relatively stable. What this latest data underscores is the need to continue investing in service-connected solutions like 419 Emancipation,” said Mike Nichols, Director of the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department . “Now that 419 is operational, we are optimistic this triage, transition, and treatment model will help connect more individuals to care, services, and clear pathways toward stability. Behind every number is a real person, and our goal is to ensure more Houstonians are connected to the right support and a stronger path forward.” The full report and methodology appendix are available online here. The executive summary is available online here. The State of Homelessness report is available online here. For more information about the PIT Count and The Way Home homeless response system, visit www.cfthhouston.org. For more information and for results of previous years’ counts, please click here . For photos and B roll of volunteers conducting this year’s PIT Count, click here . ### The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) is the backbone of Houston’s solutions to homelessness. It’s a nonprofit organization that uses the power of collective impact to move people experiencing homelessness into housing solutions. Learn more at www.cfthhouston.org . The Way Home is the homeless response system for Houston and Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. It’s a public-private partnership — a network of dozens of homeless service providers and other government, philanthropic, and business partners. The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH), a 501c3, is the designated coordinator of The Way Home.
Every year, Houston’s Point-in-Time (PIT) Count helps provide a snapshot of homelessness across the region. But as speakers emphasized during CFTH Presents: The PIT Count — Behind the Numbers , no single number can fully explain homelessness, or the work required to address it. Hosted by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH), the discussion brought together leaders from outreach, data systems, and public health to explore how Houston measures homelessness, why the PIT Count matters, and how year-round data helps guide the region’s homelessness response system.
Houston, Texas (February 24, 2026) – This week, the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) is leading the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count & Survey (“PIT Count”) to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness across Houston and throughout Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. “We may see a slight uptick in the number this year, but we have a plan,” said Kelly Young, President & CEO of CFTH. “With the support of the City of Houston, Harris County, and private funders, we have been piloting new interventions to shorten the length of time people in our region experience homelessness. With adequate funding, we look forward to expanding those interventions to help people regain lives of self-determination.” CFTH coordinates the Houston region’s public-private homeless response system, The Way Home . Through this collaboration, The Way Home partners have successfully housed over 36,000 people since 2012. CFTH will release the results of Houston’s 2026 PIT Count in the summer, following independent verification by an epidemiologist. These findings will provide insight into how factors such as increases in the cost of living and the end of federal pandemic relief funding have impacted homelessness in our region. More information about the 2026 Point-in-Time Homeless Count & Survey The PIT Count offers a snapshot of how many people are experiencing homelessness in our region on a single night. This year, the “night of record” is Monday, Feb. 23. CFTH determines the number of people staying in shelters on that night by pulling records electronically from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) . The unsheltered count will be conducted on the following days, from Tuesday, Feb. 24 to Thursday, Feb. 26. More than 400 volunteers and staff of local nonprofit service provider partners will canvass the three-county region to survey people living unsheltered, using an app on their mobile devices. Results from the 2026 PIT Count will help gauge the progress of The Way Home’s ongoing collaborative efforts. It will also help CFTH and partner homeless outreach teams understand geographic shifts and target their outreach throughout the year. The PIT Count illuminates specific programmatic gaps and provides additional information needed to allocate resources most efficiently. The PIT Count is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the annual Continuum of Care (CoC) funding process. HUD furnishes the majority of funding for programs that provide housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness in the region. In 2024, HUD granted more than $71 million to the Houston area.
