What does it measure?

Every other year the continuum of care conducts a census, known as the Point In Time Count (PIT Count), which quantifies the number of people who are homeless. The biennial PIT Count offers a snapshot of homelessness in Alameda County and forms the basis of population projections. Although only conducted biennially, when tracked over time, the PIT Count is a powerful indicator of our progress toward ending homelessness. In Alameda County we would like to see decreasing PIT Count numbers.

How does it measure?

In odd numbered years the continuum of care conducts a census of everyone who is homeless during the last 10 days of January. The census counts people living in sheltered homeless situations (like emergency shelters, warming shelters, navigation centers, or transitional housing) as well as those living in unsheltered situations (like tents, vehicles, abandoned buildings, and doorways). For more information about the PIT Count, check out HUD’s Point In Time Count Methodology Guide.

This is a biennial measure with no annual target.