Point-in-Time Count (PIT)
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a federally mandated census from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that takes place each year across every Continuum of Care (CoC) in the nation.
What is the Point-in-Time Count?
The PIT Count provides a snapshot of homelessness—counting people staying in shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for human habitation on a single night, typically in the last 10 days of January.
It helps us understand how many people are experiencing homelessness, what their needs are, and how those needs are changing over time. It’s also a key factor in determining how federal, state, and local funding is distributed to help end homelessness in Jackson County, MO, and Wyandotte County, KS.
Each year’s PIT report contributes to a clearer understanding of who is affected by homelessness and helps shape evidence-based solutions.
The data collected during the PIT Count is vital for:
The Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKCCEH) facilitates the coordination of the PIT Count for the MO-604 Continuum of Care.
A dedicated PIT Committee meets year-round to plan, coordinate, and improve the Count. This committee is made up of community members, Continuum of Care (CoC) members, and staff from funded organizations who share a vested interest in ensuring the Count is accurate, inclusive, and impactful. The PIT Committee guides decisions on methodology, training, and data collection to strengthen each year’s effort.
The Count is a collaborative effort between:
Volunteers receive training and safety guidance before the Count and are deployed in teams to survey individuals in shelters and unsheltered locations across the region.
The PIT process also includes:
A PIT Kickoff Event for coordination and training.
The use of a mobile survey app (Counting US) to collect data efficiently.
Collaboration with more than 40 community organizations that make the count possible each year.
When is the 2026 PIT?
January 28-29, 2026