Point in Time Count

The PIT is an organized effort required by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to learn more about the individuals and families experiencing homelessness nationwide. The count captures a snapshot of people sleeping in sheltered locations and a street count of places unfit for human habitation, such as sleeping outside on the street, in tents, cars, or abandoned buildings on a given night in January.  Having an accurate count helps our Denver metro cities, counties, and nonprofit partners understand the demographics and needs of those experiencing homelessness, create solutions to address homelessness, and makes us eligible to receive funding for essential community-based services that address the needs of our communities.

Persons at risk of becoming homeless (such as those staying with friends or family or staying in a motel) are not included in this count.

As the Metro Denver Continuum of Care, MDHI is mandated by HUD to organize the PIT Count in January. While helping to determine the scope of homelessness, the PIT raises public awareness, promotes collaboration across the region, provides needed demographic and survey data, and helps us apply for increased housing funds.

MDHI works closely with leads in the seven counties to determine the needs and resources of each community, organize the count and survey, and ensure each count is compliant with HUD guidelines. There are slight variations in each community’s approach depending on their needs and resources.

The PIT Count is only one measure of the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community, with numerous variables such as weather, volunteer engagement, and capacity that could result in an undercount. Read a more comprehensive picture in our latest State of Homelessness Report.

The 2025 Point-in-Time Count (PIT) was conducted on the night of January 27th through the morning of January 28th, 2025 and is being coordinated by Metro Denver Homeless Initiative

Volunteers are a critical part of this count where you will be helping a county conduct a short one-page survey with people experiencing homelessness. The basic requirements are listed below but may be more specific depending on the varying needs of the county you volunteer for.

Volunteers should be: 

• At least 18 years of age

• Able to pass a background check

• Comfortable approaching people and inviting them to participate in the survey

• Willing/able to use personal supplies, e.g., smartphone, flashlights, etc.

• Willing/able to travel by foot or car or stand for extended periods of time

• Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people

• Humble, patient, and respectful

• Able to read the survey questions and record the answers

• Attend all required trainings (mostly virtual)

• Be healthy and not display any cold/flu/COVID-19 symptoms at the event