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Annual Point in Time Count

The 2021 annual Point in Time (PIT) count of people experiencing homelessness in Washington state will be on the night of Thursday, Jan. 28. This year we will be conducting the sheltered count only. There will be no statewide unsheltered count.

Each year the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Washington state require a statewide count of all persons staying in temporary housing programs (sheltered count) and places not meant for human habitation (unsheltered count). Due to difficulties and dangers imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD and Washington State are allowing communities to choose not to conduct an unsheltered count. The regular sheltered count is still required.

The Department of Commerce provides survey forms for counties and agencies to use for their counts. Counties can opt to use their own forms as long as the count is compliant with state guidelines linked below.

Count Overview

2021 PIT Count Data Entry Webinar
Note: this webinar is required if you are entering data into HMIS for the 2021 PIT Count. If you haven’t done the normal HMIS Training yet, you need to do that and this training.

Here is more information about HMIS Trainings, including a calendar to sign up for any of the trainings.

HMIS PIT Count Data Entry Instructions (PDF)
HMIS PIT Count Data Entry Slides (PDF)

Resources

Conducting the 2021 Unsheltered PIT Count (hudexchange.info)
HUD Point in Time Count (PIT) Methodology Guide (web)
HUD 2021 PIT Count and Housing Inventory Guidance (PDF)
HUD 2013 Guidance on Counting Homeless Youth (web)
Urban Institute Strategies for Counting Homeless Youth (PDF)
Urban Institute Youth Count! Process Study (web)
HUD Point in Time Survey Tools (web)
HUD Homeless Data Exchange (web)
HUD PIT Resources (web)

PIT Forms

Point-in-Time Count Forms (English and Spanish)

Count Results

Point in Time Count Results

Contact Information

Commerce does not provide services directly to people who are at risk for or experiencing homelessness. Please refer to the “Need Help?” links above if you need individual assistance.

Nick Mondau
Federal Programs and HMIS Data Systems Manager
nick.mondau@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3028

Washington State Department of Commerce Annual Point in Time Count